YERMAH   THE   DORADO 

The  Story  of  a   Lost   Race 


/  ^> 


FRONA  EUNICE  WAIT  COLBURN 


1  It  requires  a  great  many  shovelfuls  of  earth  to  buy  truth  " 

—  Swiss  Proverb 


NEW  YORK 
THE  ALICE  HARRIMAN  COMPANY 


Copyrighted  1897 

By  FRONA  EUNICE  WAIT 

All  rights  reserved 


Revised  and  Re-copyrighted  1913 
By  FRONA  EUNICE  WAIT  COLBURN 

All  rights  reserved 


THIS  VOLUME 
1  IS  DEDICATED   TO  THE 

WHITE    KNIGHTS 

OF  ALL   LANDS  AND   OF  ALL  THE  AGES 

IN    LOVING    MEMORY  OF 

MY   FATHER 

JAMES  LAFAYETTE  SMITH 

— Frona  Eunice  Wait  Colburn 


FOREWORD 

This  book  "  Yermah  the  Dorado,"  was  first  pub 
lished  at  The  Sign  of  the  Lark,  San  Francisco,  in 
1897.  The  issue  was  limited  to  five  hundred  copies, 
mostly  subscribed  for  by  personal  friends  of  mine. 
The  notes,  manuscript  and  plates  were  all  lost  in  the 
fire  of  1906. 

The  date  of  publication  is  of  the  utmost  impor 
tance  because  the  Llama  City,  Tlamco,  the  scene  of 
this  romance,  was  located  in  Golden  Gate  Park, 
where  it  was  destroyed  by  earthquake,  in  the  long 
ago. 

Since  the  actual  occurrence  of  1906,  the  original 
story  has  been  slightly  revised,  but  not  a  line  of  the 
description  of  the  earthquake  has  been  changed,  nor 
an  incident  added.  Whoever  lived  through  those 
days,  as  I  did,  will  not  need  to  be  told  why.  The 
use  of  aeroplanes  and  wireless  telegraphy,  with  the 
recent  visit  of  a  huge  comet  are  additional  reasons 
impelling  me  to  reprint  what  is  very  like  a  pre-vision 
of  things  to  be. 

To  me  Golden  Gate  Park  is  a  hallowed  spot.  As 
a  place  of  refuge  I  saw  an  ephemeral  city  reared  in  a 
night  of  stress  and  misery.  The  beauty  of  a  rebuilt 
modern  metropolis  will  but  serve  to  recall  the 
vanished  glory  of  the  dream  city  ruled  by  the  man 
who  was  the  real  El  Dorado. 

FRONA  EUNICE  WAIT  COLBURN. 


TO  GOLDEN  GATE  PARK 

Where  once  the  Wisdom-City's  temples  rose 
Within  her  "  Gates  of  Gold,"  our  latter  day 

This  noble  pleasure  ground  but  loves,  and  knows, 
Nor  guesses  where  the  fanes  of  Tlamco  lay ; 

Yet  who  shall  say  what  spell  that  vanished  race 
Bequeathed  forever  to  this  mystic  place  ? 

For  through  this  realm  enchanted,  wanderers  stroll  — 
Or  from  the  Seven  Seas,  or  dwellers  near  — 

And  cares  forget,  while  from  each  weary  soul 
Life's  heavy  burden  slips  —  till  peace  reigns  here 

Where  blue  sky  arches  over  flower  and  palm, 

And  west  winds  whispering,  breathe  a  healing  balm. 

Here  creep  the  old  and  sad,  so  long  denied 

The  welcoming  smile  these  sunny  spaces  hold; 

Fond  lovers  weave  their  golden  dreams  beside 
Gay,  laughing  children  counting  poppy  gold ; 

To  all  the  Park  brings  rest,  and  sweet  relief 
From  work  or  pain,  or  haunting  wraiths  of  grief. 

—  Ella  M.  Sexton. 


YERMAH,  THE   DORADO 
THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

CHAPTER  ONE 

YERMAH,  the  Dorado,  was  refreshed  and 
invigorated  by  his  early  morning  ride.  It 
had  been  a  voluntary  gallop,  and  it  would 
have  been  hard  to  say  which  found  the  keenest  en 
joyment  in  it;  he,  his  horse  Cibolo,  or  Oghi  the  oce 
lot,  which  ran  beside  them  in  long,  slow  leaps,  cover 
ing  much  ground  yet  always  alighting  noiselessly  and 
as  softly  as  a  cat. 

It  was  a  beautiful  morning,  one  that  would  corre 
spond  to  the  first  of  June  now  —  but  this  was  in  the 
long  ago,  when  days  and  months  were  reckoned 
differently. 

The  tall  grass  and  wild  oats  left  ample  proof  of 
close  proximity  along  the  roadside  by  the  fragments 
secreted  in  the  clothing  of  Yermah  and  in  the  trap 
pings  of  Cibolo.  Oghi,  too,  could  have  been  con 
victed  on  the  evidence  his  formidable  toes  presented. 
Added  to  this  was  the  indescribable  scent  of  dew,  of 
the  first  hours  of  day  and  the  springtime  of  nature. 

It  was  the  first  time  since  his  arrival  from  Atlantis 
that  Yermah  had  ventured  alone  outside  the  city 
limits.  When  once  the  temples,  and  marketplaces  of 
Tlamco  were  left  behind  him,  he  had  given  Cibolo 

1 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


the  rein  and  abandoned  himself  to  the  exhilaration 
of  going  like  the  wind. 

Tlamco,  the  Llama  city,  the  name  of  which  was  un 
known  to  the  men  who  sought  the  mythical  Kingdom 
of  Quivera  —  that  will-o'-the  wisp  land  —  supposed 
to  be  the  center  of  the  Amazon  inhabited  island  of 
California  of  the  very  remote  past.  Tlamco  van 
ished  so  completely  that  there  were  no  traces  per 
ceptible  to  the  men  who  founded  Yerba  Buena  on  the 
same  peninsula  ages  after.  Its  existence  would  be 
laughed  at  by  present  day  inhabitants  of  San  Fran 
cisco  were  it  not  true  that  the  hills  in  and  around 
Golden  Gate  Park  are  living  witnesses  of  great  math 
ematical  skill. 

The  first  denizens  built  some  of  these  hills  and 
shaped  others  to  give  the  diameters  and  distances  of 
all  the  planets.  Who  of  to-day  will  believe  that  Las 
Papas,  or  Twin  Peaks,  show  the  eccentricities  of  the 
earth's  orbit  to  one  fifty-millionths  of  its  full  size? 

At  present  early  morning  milk-trains,  and  trucks 
loaded  with  vegetables  from  the  outlying  gardens  in 
tercept  and  mingle  with  the  heavy  wagons  laden  with 
meat  from  South  City.  In  short,  the  modern  city's 
food  supply  comes  from  the  same  direction  in  which 
Yermah  rode.  Conditions  and  people  have  changed 
since  then,  and  so  have  many  of  the  features  of  the 
locality  itself. 

South  of  what  is  known  as  the  Potrero  was  a  bay. 
Now  it  is  a  swamp,  and  the  north  and  south  points 
there  are  the  remains  of  forts,  although  they  appear 
to  be  nothing  more  than  hillocks  blown  into  shape 
by  merest  chance.  To  the  west  is  a  hill  on  which 
dwelt  Hanabusa,  the  captain  of  the  three-decked  war- 
galleys,  or  balsas.  Nearby  was  the  signal  tower 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  3 

which  could  be  seen  from  every  eminence  in  the  city. 
It  guarded  the  western  side  of  the  sanded  causeway 
leading  from  the  marketplace  in  the  center  of 
Tlamco  to  the  water's  edge.  Hanabusa's  house  af 
forded  protection  to  the  north  side. 

Yermah  skirted  the  range  of  hills  on  the  land  side, 
where  the  granaries  of  his  people  were  located  and 
which  accounted  for  the  presence  of  the  war-galleys 
and  the  defenses  in  that  neighborhood.  He  rode 
down  what  is  known  as  the  old  San  Bruno  Road, 
where  he  was  kept  busy  returning  the  salutes  of  the 
workmen  whose  duty  it  was  to  produce,  conserve  and 
prepare  food  for  their  fellows. 

Meeting  Hanabusa  near  his  house,  Yermah  dis 
mounted  to  consult  with  him.  While  the  men  talked, 
Oghi  lay  in  wait  for  a  flock  of  birds,  which  had  been 
frightened  into  rising  from  the  ground.  Oghi  was 
more  like  the  South  American  jaguar  than  any  of  the 
ocelots  of  Central  America.  In  olden  times  these 
animals  were  plentiful  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  were 
used  by  the  sportsmen  of  the  day  for  hunting,  much 
as  dogs  are  now  employed. 

This  morning  once  fairly  in  the  country,  the  quick 
eye  of  Oghi  detected  a  fine  buck  deer  surreptitiously 
grazing  in  a  field  of  oats  by  the  roadside.  Instantly 
the  ocelot  crouched  low  and  hugging  the  ground 
crept  stealthily  forward.  The  black-tail,  soon  con 
scious  of  danger,  elevated  its  head  adorned  with  a 
splendid  set  of  antlers  still  in  the  velvet.  Its  nostrils 
were  distended,  and  it  sniffed  the  air  suspiciously. 
Like  a  bolt  from  a  gun  the  deer  made  a  tremendous 
leap,  and  was  off  at  top  speed.  Oghi  continued  to 
trail  in  a  crouching  position,  which  made  him  look 
like  a  long,  black  streak  against  the  horizon.  He 


4  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

gained  on  the  deer  from  the  first,  and  when  near 
enough  made  a  furious  spring. 

The  leap  fell  short,  but  Oghi  lighted  on  the  rump 
of  the  buck  and  nearly  bore  it  to  its  haunches.  The 
wounded  animal  shook  off  its  assailant  and  plunged 
ahead  desperately,  but  it  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  it 
was  badly  hurt  where  Oghi's  claws  had  torn  out  great 
pieces  of  flesh  and  hide. 

The  ocelot  now  changed  tactics.  All  his  cruel 
leonine  nature  was  aroused  by  the  exertion  and  the 
taste  of  warm  blood.  Instead  of  hugging  the  heels 
of  his  victim,  he  endeavored  to  run  alongside  near 
the  shoulder  where  he  could  fix  his  sharp  teeth  in  the 
throbbing  throat.  For  a  few  moments  they  ran 
side  by  side,  straight  and  even  as  a  pair  of  coach 
horses. 

Then,  with  a  mighty  cat-like  spring,  Oghi's  long, 
slender  body  stretched  out  and  up  into  the  air.  When 
he  descended,  his  claws  had  closed  on  the  jugular 
vein  of  the  deer.  For  an  instant  there  was  no  break 
in  speed.  The  deer  made  two  more  leaps,  then  stag 
gered,  whirled  once  around,  and  victor  and  vanquished 
went  heels  over  head  together  in  the  long  grass. 

Yermah  kept  close  behind,  putting  Cibolo  to  his 
best  paces  in  an  endeavor  to  save  the  life  of  the  deer. 
He  called  repeatedly  to  Oghi  to  let  go  his  hold. 
Finally  the  creature  reluctantly  obeyed  with  a  sullen 
growl.  Not  only  were  the  main  arteries  and  veins 
in  the  deer's  throat  severed,  but  the  heavy  blows  had 
broken  the  shoulder-blade. 

Yermah  hastily  fastened  the  chain  he  carried  to 
the  bull's-hide  band  on  Oghi's  foreleg,  which  was  held 
in  place  by  two  smaller  chains  fastened  to  the  ani 
mal's  collar.  As  the  captor  licked  the  blood  off  his 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  5 

chops,  the  death-struggles  of  his  prey  grew  fainter, 
and  finally  ceased  altogether. 

Oghi  was  quite  a  character  in  his  way,  and  en 
joyed  an  unique  reputation  among  the  inhabitants  of 
Tlamco.  He  came  as  a  gift  to  Yermah  from  the 
Atlantian  colonists  of  the  Rio  Grande.  He  seemed 
so  disconsolate  and  lonely  when  first  brought  to  his 
new  home,  that  Yermah  sent  to  his  former  region  to 
secure  the  ocelot  a  mate.  In  the  meantime,  the  young 
man  told  all  his  friends  about  it  and  promised  his 
favorites  the  first  litters  which  should  follow  this 
happy  venture.  Oghi's  reputation  for  intelligence, 
docility  and  courage  made  every  one  feel  fortunate  in 
the  prospect  of  owning  some  of  the  stock. 

Pika,  the  mate,  was  an  ocelot  beauty  and  carried 
herself  with  all  the  haughty  disdain  a  full  knowledge 
of  that  fact  might  have  inspired.  When  turned 
loose  in  the  yard  with  Oghi,  she  flew  at  him  instantly 
and  whipped  him  unmercifully.  In  no  circumstance 
would  she  allow  him  near  her.  Oghi  submitted  like 
a  sheep.  He  even  crawled  flat  on  his  belly  and 
howled  for  mercy.  In  these  encounters  he  kept 
close  to  the  wall  on  the  opposite  side,  and  whenever 
possible  scaled  it  with  remarkable  agility. 

This  unexpected  outcome  gave  rise  to  great  hilarity, 
although  the  consensus  of  opinion  was  that  Oghi  had 
behaved  like  a  gentleman.  There  were  men  in  those 
days  capable  of  facing  a  hostile  regiment,  single- 
handed,  but  who  capitulated  unconditionally  at  sight 
of  an  irate  female  —  so  this  idea  is  not  entirely 
modern. 

It  may  have  been  that  an  easy  victory  over  Oghi 
caused  Pika  to  over-estimate  her  fighting  abilities, 
for  she  did  not  hesitate  to  attack  a  grizzly  bear  and 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


in  so  doing  came  to  an  untimely  end.  It  was  a 
rough-and-tumble  fight,  but  a  duel  to  the  death  from 
the  beginning. 

Had  Pika  been  more  wary,  she  would  have  kept 
well  to  the  rear;  but  she  foolishly  got  in  the  way  of 
Bruin's  right  paw  and  the  result  was  a  skull  split 
from  nose  to  ear. 

When  Yermah's  irreverent  friends  came  to  con 
dole  with  him,  he  invited  them  to  witness  his  en 
dowment  of  Oghi  with  a  badge  of  mourning.  This 
was  the  bull's-hide  band,  worn  on  the  left  foreleg  by 
means  of  which  Oghi  was  always  manageable.  Sus 
pended  from  the  hook  which  fastened  the  leading 
chain  was  a  leaden  heart  with  the  inscription — 

SACRED  TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  PIKA 

which  was  indeed  a  sign  manual  of  submission  and 
servitude.  If  at  any  time  during  the  rest  of  his  life, 
Oghi  showed  signs  of  rebellion,  Yermah  had  but  to 
pull  the  chain  and  the  left  foreleg  was  doubled  up 
close  to  the  body,  while  the  collar  around  the  neck 
became  uncomfortably  tight. 

laqua,  Yermah's  official  residence,  was  surrounded 
by  an  immense  octagonal  enclosure,  and  was  ap 
proached  by  two  beautiful  gates.  The  one  due 
north  closed  a  roadway  composed  of  tiny  sea-shells, 
extending  to  the  bay  and  overlooking  the  Golden 
Gate.  The  other  was  a  terminus  of  a  foot-path  of 
flagging  which  led  to  the  Observatory.  Here  the 
adobe  was  laid  in  irregular  forms  and  covered  with 
stucco. 

laqua's  eight  towers  were  circular  in  form  and  had 
battlements  and  winding  stairways.  Each  was  fur 
nished  with  deep-set  octagon  loop-holes  for  observa- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  7 

tion,  and  comfortably  accommodated  twenty  men. 
The  entrance  was  a  door  opening  into  the  courtyard 
and  connecting  with  a  passage-way  under  the  terrace. 
It  was  this  opening  fitted  with  loopholes  which  really 
made  the  building  a  fortification. 

The  whole  structure  was  flat-roofed,  having  bat 
tlements  of  hard  wood  plated  with  lead.  The  lower 
floor  of  each  tower  was  used  as  a  guardroom,  being 
furnished  with  huge  tables  and  benches  which  fol 
lowed  the  outline  of  the  room.  There  were  stools 
of  terra-cotta,  porcelain  and  hard  woods  elaborately 
carved  where  the  body-guard  suite  of  the  Dorado 
lived.  In  each  tower,  one  above  the  other,  were 
two  sleeping  apartments  of  equal  size  with  mess- 
rooms  attached. 

As  Yermah  galloped  up  through  the  wide  south 
ern  gate,  the  courtyard  filled  with  members  of  his 
staff.  As  he  swung  lightly  from  the  saddle,  it  was 
noticed  that  Cibolo  showed  signs  of  the  morning 
work.  Yermah  led  his  charger  to  the  stable  door, 
and,  as  he  was  being  rubbed  down,  gave  him  some 
salt  and  patted  him  affectionately. 

Oghi  took  offense  at  this  show  of  partiality,  and 
leaping  over  the  back  of  the  horse,  stood  uncom 
fortably  near  Yermah,  the  hair  along  his  spinal  col 
umn  on  end  and  his  tail  straight  and  threatening. 
Yermah  spoke  sharply  to  the  ocelot. 

Disturbed  by  the  commotion,  a  flock  of  parrots 
having  the  freedom  of  Cibolo's  crib  began  to  screech 
and  to  chatter,  as  if  they  not  only  comprehended  but 
sympathized  with  Oghi's  jealousy.  In  less  than  a 
minute  they  were  vigorously  fighting  among  them 
selves,  and  Yermah,  unable  to  make  himself  heard 
above  the  noise  and  din,  fled  incontinently. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


Cibolo  came  from  Poseidon's  stud,  whence  his  an 
cestry  was  traced  back  many  generations.  He  had 
all  the  qualities  which  conduced  to  endurance  and 
speed.  Cibolo's  bright  eyes  gave  evidence  of  en 
ergy  and  splendid  nerve,  and  he  carried  himself  like 
a  king.  His  straight  neck  and  perfect  joints  were 
connecting  links  of  a  muscular  system  of  great  power. 
In  the  center  of  a  wide,  flat  forehead  was  a  star, 
and  the  glossy  coat  of  hair  distinctly  oulined  a  del 
icate  tracery  of  veins.  The  nostrils  were  wide  and 
open,  while  the  mobile  ears,  set  well  apart  were  small 
and  straight.  Never  in  his  life  had  the  horse  been 
struck  a  blow.  He  was  docile,  obedient,  affection 
ate  and  intelligent. 

With  fine-cut  horn  brushes,  the  groom  set  to  work 
removing  every  particle  of  dust  and  sweat  from  his 
skin,  smoothing  every  hair  into  its  proper  place,  un 
til  it  shone  like  fine  satin.  The  mane  and  tail  were 
combed  like  human  hair  and  plaited  into  tight 
strands,  which  would  be  loosened  only  when  he  was 
harnessed  to  the  chariot,  later  in  the  day.  As  be 
came  the  station  of  his  master,  the  head  ornaments, 
saddles,  coronas  and  trappings  worn  when  hitched 
to  the  chariot  were  masses  of  jewels,  feathers,  silver 
bells  and  embroidery. 

Yermah  went  directly  to  his  private  apartments  in 
the  eastern  quadrangle  of  laqua.  The  approaches 
to  this  part  of  the  house  were  screened  by  trellises 
covered  with  flowering  creepers.  After  a  plunge 
and  a  shower  of  both  salt  and  fresh  water,  followed 
by  a  liberal  use  of  lavender  spray,  of  which  the  Do 
rado  was  extremely  fond,  he  emerged  from  the 
hands  of  his  dresser  with  a  glow  of  health  and  hap 
piness  on  his  face.  He  lingered  but  a  moment  in  the 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  9 

hallway,  then  crossed  over  to  the  extreme  eastern 
triangle,  which  was  a  private  sanctuary  where  he 
often  went  to  consult  the  oracle  Orion  on  personal 
matters. 

The  statue  was  of  carved  alabaster  exquisitely  pro 
portioned.  It  represented  the  figure  of  a  man,  with 
diamond  eyes,  whose  head  supported  a  jeweled  miter 
terminating  in  a  point.  The  belt  which  confined  the 
loose  robe  at  the  waist  line  had  three  solitaires  of 
purest  water  which  were  supposed  to  grow  dim  if 
the  petitioner  were  not  in  good  health  or  was  in  dan 
ger.  If  these  stones  became  opaque  or  colorless,  the 
phenomenon  gave  rise  to  most  dismal  forebodings. 

Orion  was  placed  in  a  square  niche  exactly  facing 
the  rising  sun,  holding  a  fan  and  a  sickle  in  the  hand. 
A  window  of  jeweled  glass  let  in  the  first  rays  of  the 
morning,  lighting  up  the  gold  and  silver  ornamenta 
tion  back  of  the  figure.  The  right  side  was  of  gold, 
the  left  of  silver  —  one  typifying  the  sun,  the  other 
the  moon.  Back  of  the  head,  suspended  from  the 
ceiling,  was  a  splendid  panache  of  green  feathers 
dusted  with  jewels,  and  above  this  was  a  crystal  ball, 
whose  knobby  surface  reflected  rainbow  colors  in  cir 
cles  and  zones.  At  the  feet  was  a  bas-relief  repre 
senting  a  golden  humming  bird  flying  over  water 
which  was  a  symbol  of  Atlantis. 

The  prayer-rug  in  front  of  the  statue  was  of 
ivory,  woven  in  strips.  It  was  as  flexible  as  cloth 
and  beautifully  fine.  The  double-key  pattern,  char 
acteristic  of  pre-historic  America,  formed  the  bor 
der;  but  this  was  much  broken  and  most  effective 
with  its  shadings  of  black,  skillfully  intermingled 
with  filigree  carvings.  Pastils  of  incense  burned  on 
the  altar  —  peace  and  quiet  reigned  supreme. 


10  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  Dorado  was  a  child  of  promise;  that  is  to 
say,  he  had  been  set  apart  as  the  future  ruler  of  the 
island  of  Atlantis  and  her  outlying  colonies.  By 
the  Brotherhood  of  the  White  Star  he  had  been  con 
secrated,  before  he  was  born,  to  a  life  of  service. 
Yermah  was  a  veritable  sun-god,  and  as  the  sub 
dued  light  fell  over  his  long,  wavy  blond  hair  and 
beard,  while  kneeling  before  the  oracle,  he  was  a 
specimen  of  manhood  fair  to  look  upon. 

Tall,  broad-shouldered  and  athletic,  with  not  a 
pound  of  flesh  too  much,  his  countenance  was  as  open 
and  frank  as  that  of  a  child.  His  large,  round, 
clear-seeing  blue  eyes  were  placed  exactly  on  a  nor 
mal  line  —  eyes  whose  truthfulness  could  not  be 
questioned;  and  the  slightly  arched  heavy  brows  in 
dicated  physical  strength  and  mental  power.  Yer 
mah  had  a  large  hand  evenly  balanced  and  well 
formed.  The  joints  of  the  fingers  were  of  equal 
length,  ending  in  round  pink  nails,  denoting  liberal 
sentiments  as  well  as  love  of  detail.  The  small, 
clean-cut  ear  helped  to  bear  out  other  testimony  of 
his  having  been  born  during  the  morning  hours. 
Ever  mindful  of  the  little  courtesies  of  life,  both  in 
bestowing  and  receiving,  he  was  a  model  of  propri 
ety  and  dignity  even  as  a  youth. 

Yermah  possessed  a  nature  which  aroused  others 
to  the  highest  degree  of  activity.  Unfortunately 
this  activity  was  as  liable  to  be  against  as  for  his  in 
terests.  He  was  high-spirited  and  resolute,  but 
generous  and  sympathetic.  As  a  friend  he  was  con 
siderate  and  faithful.  As  an  orator  he  was  mag 
netic,  and  irresistible;  and  as  the  shoulders  are  the 
thermometer  of  feeling  he  made  many  gestures  with 
them. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  11 

On  the  spur  of  the  moment,  under  the  dominating 
influence  of  emotion,  the  Dorado  sometimes  acted 
without  thinking,  but  he  was  incapable  of  harboring 
malice.  In  later  life  this  qualified  him  for  arbitra 
tion,  when  the  necessities  of  the  people  demanded  its 
exercise. 

"  The  peace  of  a  perfect  day  be  with  thee,  Yer- 
mah,"  said  Akaza,  the  hicrophant. 

He  kissed  the  Dorado  on  the  right  cheek,  the 
forehead,  and  then  on  the  left  cheek,  as  he  stood 
clasping  the  young  man's  arms,  murmuring  the 
names  of  the  three  attributes  of  Divinity.  Only  an 
initiate  of  the  highest  order  ever  gripped  an  arm  in 
precisely  the  same  manner  as  Akaza  had  done,  and 
Yermah  was  gratified  by  the  distinction  and  favor 
shown. 

"  The  same  sweet  grace  be  with  thee  now  and  al 
ways,"  was  Yermah's  greeting  in  return  as  he  car 
ried  the  long,  thin,  white  beard  of  the  old  man  to  his 
lips. 

Then  adroitly  drawing  Akaza's  arm  through  his 
own,  he  led  the  way  to  a  nook  in  the  private  sitting- 
room  facing  the  sanctuary,  on  the  threshold  of  which 
he  had  encountered  his  visitor. 

"  Forgive  my  keeping  thee  waiting,"  he  contin 
ued.  "  I  yielded  to  the  seductions  of  the  balmy  air 
and  Cibolo's  easy  gait,  riding  farther  out  than  I  at 
first  intended." 

"  It  were  easier  to  make  excuse  hadst  thou  not 
unnecessarily  cast  insinuations  on  Cibolo,"  answered 
Akaza,  smiling.  "  It  is  not  fair  to  the  horse,  since 
he  is  not  here  to  make  known  how  he  was  encour 
aged  and  abetted  in  his  labor  of  love.  I  have  but 
arrived  from  Ingharep,  having  completed  calcula- 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


tions  of  the  planets  concerning  our  journey  to  Yo- 
Semite.1  Walking  in  slowly,  I  was  glad  of  the  few 
moments'  breathing  time." 

He  helped  himself  to  some  salted  melon  and  dried 
anise  seeds  on  the  platter  which  his  host  pushed  to 
ward  him,  but  he  refused  the  cigarette  the  latter  had 
rolled  of  corn-husks  and  filled  with  fine  tobacco. 
Yermah  picked  at  the  anise  seeds  after  ordering  a  pot 
of  chocolate  and  some  corn  wafers. 

"  Wouldst  thou  advise  me  to  go  at  once,  to  offer 
this  young  priestess  asylum  here  while  negotiations 
are  pending  between  Eko  Tanga,  the  emissary  of 
the  land  of  the  Ian  of  which  she  is  a  native,  and  the 
Monbas,  holding  her  as  hostage?  " 

The  hierophant  hesitated  and  looked  sharply  at 
his  auditor  before  replying. 

"  Thou  hast  still  to  overcome  that  which  bars  the 
entrance  before  thou  hast  completed  the  labors  of 
initiation,  and  I  am  not  unmindful  of  thy  real  destiny. 
Yes,"  he  continued  deliberately,  and  as  if  the  fate  of 
an  immortal  soul  hung  on  his  words,  "  yes.  I  am 
prepared  to  go  with  thee  into  the  Yo-Semite.  What 
ever  the  result  of  the  expedition,  I  will  help  thee  to 
endure." 

As  he  ceased  speaking  Yermah  noticed  that  he 
held  both  thumbs  tightly  and  sat  motionless,  save 
that  his  lips  moved  silently.  His  piercing  dark  eyes 
focused  in  empty  space,  and  he  seemed  for  a  mo 
ment  far  away  from  his  surroundings. 

"  And  the  gold  which  I  came  here  to  find  —  does 
it  lie  in  that  direction?  Will  my  initiation  into  the 
Sacred  Mysteries  be  completed  upon  its  discovery?  " 

Yermah  was  carefully  noting  Akaza's  abstraction. 

1  The  modern  name  is  preferably  employed. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  13 

"  The  gold  thou  art  to  find  lies  in  that  direction, 
and  when  found  the  Brotherhood  of  the  White  Star 
will  welcome  thee." 

"  Then  thy  long  journey  from  Atlantis  will  be 
crowned  with  success,  and  we  can  return  like  a  pair 
of  conquerors  —  thou  to  preside  over  the  temple 
whose  foundations  were  laid  the  day  I  was  born,  I 
to  tip  its  spires  with  virgin  gold.  Then  the  initia 
tion,  and  I  am  ready  to  assume  my  duties  as  Grand 
Servitor.  There  is  but  one  short  year  in  which  to 
accomplish  this." 

'  True  child  of  the  sun,  full  of  hope  and  impa 
tient  of  delay!  Youth  is  thy  eternal  heritage." 

"  Youth,  indeed!  "  said  Yermah,  with  mock  sever 
ity.  "  Thirty  times  will  the  earth  have  encircled  the 
sun  when  the  next  day  of  my  nativity  arrives.  I  hope 
soon  after  that  to  be  a  family  man,  staid  and  sober." 

"What  is  this  about  a  family?"  queried  a  new 
comer,  a  swarthy  son  of  Mars,  who  stood  in  the 
doorway.  His  head  was  without  covering  other  than 
a  band  of  red  leather,  having  a  bull's  head  and 
horns  of  agate,  and  a  solitaire  for  Aldebaran  in  the 
center  with  a  gold  boss  on  each  side.  He  wore  the 
quilted  cotton  tunic  of  a  soldier  and  his  feet  were 
protected  by  leather  sandals  tipped  with  gold. 

On  the  lower  arm  near  the  elbow,  were  several 
long  strips  of  leather,  cut  like  a  fringe,  with  different 
devices  at  the  ends  to  show  his  occupation  as  well  as 
his  prowess  at  arms  and  in  games;  also,  the  temple 
or  priesthood  to  which  he  belonged.  Those  on  the 
right  arm  indicated  strength  and  skill;  those  on  the 
left  his  aspirations,  social  and  spiritual. 

Over  this  arm  was  thrown  a  cloak  of  perfumed 
leather,  ornamented  with  lustrous  dyes  in  soft  col- 


14 


ors,  which  found  a  congenial  background  in  the 
pliant,  velvety  surface  of  the  ooze  finish.  Around 
his  neck  was  a  gorget,  from  which  depended  seven 
rows  of  beads  each  of  a  different  color. 

He  was  a  younger  man  than  Yermah,  and  quite 
as  handsome,  but  in  a  different  way.  He  came  in 
with  a  brisk  step,  without  hesitation,  and  it  was  ev 
ident  from  his  manner  that  he  belonged  to  the  place. 
He  greeted  Akaza  as  Yermah  had  done,  and  stood 
waiting  to  be  asked  to  join  the  conclave. 

Yermah  handed  him  a  curiously  wrought  gold  cup 
filled  with  chocolate,  made  as  only  the  Aztecs,  of  all 
later  races,  knew  how  to  do.  It  was  thick  like  custard, 
with  a  layer  of  whipped  cream  on  top,  served  ice  cold 
and  eaten  with  a  spoon.  Its  nutritive  qualities  made 
it  a  household  confection,  and  it  was  used  much  as 
bouillon  is  to-day.  With  it  was  eaten  thin  corn-meal 
wafers,  rolled  into  fanciful  shapes  and  browned  until 
crisp  and  dry. 

"  Thou  art  come  in  time  to  add  thy  counsel  to 
mine,  Orondo,"  said  Akaza,  kindly.  "  Yermah 
stands  in  need  of  thy  assistance  in  a  state  matter  of 
importance,  one  which  is  certain  to  be  fraught  with 
momentous  consequences  to  all  concerned." 

"  I  thank  thee  for  thy  courtesy.  But  I  thought 
thou  wert  discussing  marriage  when  I  came  in. 
That,  I  believe,  is  my  next  duty,  and  I  have  un 
wonted  interest.  As  Yermah  is  vowed  to  celibacy, 
I  fail  to  comprehend  the  import  of  his  words." 

Again  Akaza  fortified  himself  against  conflicting 
emotions,  and  was  silent. 

"  Our  spiritual  leader  bids  us  offer  aid  to  the  high 
priestess,  Keroecia,  at  present  with  her  followers 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  15 

worshiping  in  the  Yo-Semite.  I  am  expected  to  visit 
her  there  and  thou  must  bear  me  company." 

"  Thou  hast  but  to  command  me.  It  were  best 
to  go  in  state,  as  this  may  incline  them  to  peaceful 
disposition  toward  our  future.  In  the  valley  of  the 
Mississippi l  they  already  have  strong  position,  and 
could  harm  me  infinitely  when  once  I  begin  opera 
tions  there.  It  were  impolitic  to  expose  the  copper 
deposits  in  that  region  as  the  metal  is  growing  scarce 
in  the  land  of  Mexi,  and  we  would  perish  without  it." 

"  Thou  wilt  not  see  me  again  until  we  are  ready 
for  our  journey;  I  have  need  to  be  alone,"  said 
Akaza,  as  he  held  up  his  hands  in  benediction,  form 
ing  an  outline  of  the  sacred  fire  on  the  altar. 

Both  men  arose  and  saluted  respectfully,  and, 
without  further  words,  Akaza  passed  from  the  room. 

1  Modern  name  preferably  employed. 


...-•* 


CHAPTER  TWO 

THE  CITY  OF  TLAMCO  —  ITS  TEMPLES  AND  MAR 
KETPLACES 

THE  favorite  breathing-place  of  the  San 
Francisco  of  to-day  is  the  site  of  what  was 
once  the  Llama  city,  Tlamco,  stretching 
from  the  Panhandle  entrance  at  Golden  Gate  Park  to 
the  beach  at  the  Cliff  House  rocks.  It  was  a  city  of 
seven  hills,  marking  the  orbits  and  the  diameters  of 
the  planets,  Mercury,  Venus,  Mars,  Jupiter,  Saturn, 
Uranus  and  Neptune,,  as  well  as  forming  a  map  of 
the  Pleiades. 

This  ancient  abode  of  the  Atlantian  colonists  in 
California  was  laid  out  in  circles,  with  a  large  tem 
ple  in  the  center,  near  the  east  end  of  Golden  Gate 
Park  at  the  inter-section  of  Haight  and  Shrader 
Streets.  From  this  point  were  twelve  radiating 
streets,  intersected  by  four  principal  avenues,  con 
structed  on  the  cardinal  points  of  the  compass. 

The  one  to  the  east  led  to  Park  Hill,  which  was 
terraced  up  to  Mount  Olympus  on  the  south,  and 
continued  on  to  the  East  Temple  fortress. 

The  western  avenue  led  through  the  center  of  the 
park  proper  to  Round  Top,  or  Strawberry  Hill,  now 
ornamented  with  an  artificial  waterfall  and  an  en 
circling  lake.  This  hill  is  a  natural  rock,  upon 
which  was  constructed  the  Temple  of  Neptune. 

The  corresponding  thoroughfare  on  the  north  led 

16 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  17 

to  the  Observatory  and  main  fortress  on  Lone  Moun 
tain.  These  roadways  were  crowned  with  fine  sand, 
still  found  in  abundance  in  the  dunes  in  the  immedi 
ate  vicinity. 

There  were  tall  three-faced  obelisks  of  dark-red 
sand-stone  at  the  outside  limits  of  the  streets,  while 
the  inner  terminals  were  marked  by  corresponding 
pillars  of  marble,  similarly  decorated.  Single  and 
double  cross-bars  at  the  top  of  each  of  these  were 
hung  with  huge  beaten-brass  lanterns. 

It  was  these  statue  obelisks,  twelve  in  number,  rep 
resenting  Mercury  in  the  twelve  hours,  which  gave 
the  name  of  Tlamco  to  the  city.  The  cognomen 
signified  Wisdom. 

These  columns  had  three  faces  which  literally 
pointed  the  way.  The  countenance  on  the  right  was 
that  of  a  bearded  old  man;  the  middle  face  a  laugh 
ing,  sinister  one,  while  that  on  the  left  was  of  a  youth 
looking  dreamily  out  into  the  distance.  The  shafts 
were  placed  so  that  the  young  sun-god  faced  the  orb 
rising  in  the  east,  symbolical  of  the  future;  the  cen 
ter  denoted  the  present,  and  reflected  the  sun  at  mid 
day,  while  the  old  man  fronted  the  west.  Sunset 
typified  Saturn,  the  Father  Time  of  to-day. 

The  figures  were  armless,  and  their  legs  and  feet 
were  incased  in  iron  coffins  set  on  square  bases  of 
black  basalt.  The  obelisks  proper  were  tapering, 
and  at  the  points  were  covered  with  white  enamel. 
The  lamps  hanging  from  the  cross-bars  were  fur 
nished  with  opalescent  glass  globes,  and  on  the  apex 
of  the  obelisks  were  balls  of  the  same  material 
radiating  the  light  in  myriad  rain-bow  colorings. 
Cut  deep  in  the  basaltic  base  t  was  the  inscrip 
tion  : — 


18  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

I  AM  THE  WAY,  THE  TRUTH,  AND 
THE  LIFE 

which  is  a  Gnostic  interpretation  of  redemption,  and 
at  that  time  had  reference  to  the  course  of  the 
sun.  The  Way  was  Horus,  the  ray  of  wisdom 
shining  through  the  darkness;  the  old  man  was 
Truth,  or  experience;  while  the  center  was  Life,  or 
the  Light-Giver.  The  iron  coffin  was  the  belt  of 
Orion  and  had  reference  to  the  death  of  the  material 
world. 

Esoterically,  the  belt  of  Orion  is  the  band  of 
causation,  to  loosen  which,  and  to  free  ourselves 
from  its  influence,  solves  the  riddle  of  life  itself. 

In  the  center  of  the  city  was  the  Temple  of  the 
Sun  with  twelve  sides  and  four  main  entrances  which 
overlooked  the  avenues.  Its  minarets  and  domes 
were  tipped  with  gold.  There  was  a  dome  over 
each  doorway,  and  a  larger  one  in  the  center,  which 
terminated  in  a  truncated  spire.  Under  this  was  a 
circular  hall  surmounting  twelve  arches,  resting  on 
an  equal  number  of  pillars  which  represented  the 
astral  giants  holding  up  and  guarding  the  Cosmos. 

The  capital  of  each  pillar  was  carved  into  the 
semblance  of  the  face  of  a  young  virgin  with  an  in 
scrutably  mystic  expression.  On  her  head  was  a 
monster  serpent  biting  the  tail  of  another  on  the  right. 
The  bodies  of  the  serpents  ran  in  wavy  lines  around 
the  recesses  at  the  back  of  the  arches,  where  the  head 
in  turn  held  in  its  mouth  the  tail  of  the  preceding 
one,  forming  a  long  meander  around  the  hall.  On 
them,  and  commencing  at  the  northeast  corner,  was 
inscribed  a  hymn  to  the  Cosmic  Virgin : — 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  19 

EAST. 

O  thou  who  in  thine  incomparable  beauty  risest  from  the 
deep! 

Thou  who  dwellest  in  all  form,  and  givest  life  to  all  emana 
tions  ! 

Thou,  Everta,  who  ridest  on  the  whirlwind ! 

Gird  thy  children  with  the  armor  of  justice. 

SOUTH. 

Thou  who  at  thy  rising  doth  manifest  the  splendor  of  truth, 
And  at  thy  meridian  causest  the  fruit  of  the  earth  to  ripen 

in  its  season, 
Give,  O  Horo!  at  thy  setting,  peace  to  all  thy  children. 

WEST. 

Thou  who  dwellest  in  the  manifest  and  the  invisible, 
And  makest  one  the  astral  deep  and  the  mountain  of  sub 
stance, 
Grant,  O  Dama!  union  to  the  souls  of  thy  people. 

NORTH. 

Thou  whose  sandals  crush  the  head  of  malice  and  discord 
And  who  dost  establish  on  the  rock  of  eternity  thy  seal  of 

power, 
Make,  O  Gharep!  on  thy  right  hand  a  dwelling  for  the 

brethren  of  Tlamco. 

The  recesses  facing  the  cardinal  points  led  to  the 
four  entrances;  the  remaining  eight  were  curtained 
off,  and  used  as  civil  courts.  In  each  corner  was 
a  pair  of  winged  mastodons,  facing  each  other. 
Their  out-stretched  wings  touched  and  formed  a 
sharp  angle.  On  the  breast  of  each  mastodon  was 
a  jeweled  lamp  of  sacred  fire. 

Directly  under  the  central  dome  was  a  concave 


20  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

counter-part,  brilliant  with  jeweled  crystals,  from  the 
pinnacle  of  which  was  suspended  a  gilt  ball  held  in 
place  by  four  golden  chains.  The  globe  was  a  sun 
burst  with  horizontal  rays.  The  serpent  meander 
on  the  outer  wall  back  of  the  recesses  gave  the  orbit 
of  the  intermercurial  planet  Vulcan,  to  the  same 
scale  as  the  gilt  ball  did  of  the  sun.  Underneath 
the  radiating  globe  was  a  porphyry  disk  of  equal 
diameter,  symbolic  of  the  fire  on  the  altar. 

This  central  temple,  typical  of  active  life,  was  the 
scene  of  great  public  ceremonies,  such  as  the  recep 
tion  of  ambassadors,  and  there  the  awards  for  all 
civic  honors  were  bestowed.  The  floor  was  a  circle 
of  radiating  tiles,  twelve  red,  alternating  with  an 
equal  number  of  yellow.  Around  the  center  pal 
ladium  were  twenty-four  seats  for  the  Council  of 
State,  with  the  one  at  the  south  raised  for  the  Chief. 

The  populace  were  allowed  access  to  the  building 
and  to  assent  to  or  to  disagree  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  Council.  These  men,  in  a  material  sense, 
represented  the  twelve  labors  of  Hercules.  They 
pictured  this  personality  of  the  sun  as  old  and  elo 
quent;  and  a  councilor  failing  in  proper  persuasion 
and  ability  to  reason  was  driven  out.  It  was  neces 
sary  for  him  to  be  an  experienced  and  ready  debater, 
because  his  colleagues,  in  groups  of  six,  challenged 
his  statements  —  one  set  pathetically,  one  in  ridicule, 
one  in  denunciation  and  another  in  denial. 

If  the  members  of  the  Council  quarreled,  the  sit 
ting  was  adjourned  at  once,  and  no  further  meeting 
was  lawful  until  the  disputants  took  a  solemn  oath 
that  they  were  reconciled.  News  of  such  an  occur 
rence  spread  over  the  city  like  a  flash.  It  was  con 
sidered  a  great  breach  of  decorum  for  a  man  to 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  21 

speak  without  consideration  for  another's  feelings, 
or  in  a  loud,  angry  voice  while  in  the  Council 
Chambers. 

Yermah  had  four  advisers,  who  in  turn  sat  as  Chief 
Councilors.  These  were  Akaza,  Orondo,  Setos  and 
Alcamayn. 

There  were  also  one  hundred  and  sixty  warrior 
priests  in  his  personal  suite,  quartered  in  the  fortifi 
cations  around  laqua.  Some  of  these  were  descend 
ants  of  the  pioneers  who  founded  the  city;  others 
were  there  by  honorable  promotion  for  service 
rendered  the  state. 

Yermah,  alone,  was  accountable  to  the  Grand 
Council  of  Atlantis,  while  Akaza  was  the  only  repre 
sentative  of  the  hierarchy.  He  led  the  white  magi 
cians  out  of  Atlantis  when  black  magic  gained 
supremacy,  twenty  years  prior,  and  had  only  returned 
in  time  to  accompany  Yermah  on  his  tour  of  inspec 
tion  through  the  outlying  colonies. 

Conforming  to  the  general  outline  of  the  temple 
enclosure,  but  on  a  lower  eminence,  was  a  twelve- 
sided  plaza  which  was  the  marketplace  of  Tlamco. 
Every  street  and  avenue  converged  upon  it,  and  it 
was  always  alive  with  men,  women  and  children  on 
traffic  bent.  In  deep  porticos  facing  the  outer 
circle,  were  booths  and  bazaars  where  everything  re 
quired  by  the  population  was  for  barter  and  ex 
change.  Like  the  Temple  of  the  Sun  in  the  center, 
this  beehive  of  industry  had  an  outside  circle  de 
scribing  the  orbit  of  Mars,  typical  of  the  curious 
warfare  which  trade  was  to  wage  in  later  times,  be 
tween  man's  temporal  and  spiritual  welfare. 

Long  lines  of  white  and  black  horsehair  reatas 
were  carried  to  the  top  of  the  truncated  spire  on  the 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


temple,  and  made  fast  to  the  base  of  a  colossal  figure 
of  Hercules,  which  was  of  madrono  wood  —  indige 
nous  to  this  locality.  The  wood  is  as  hard  as  metal, 
and  the  statue  was  completely  covered  with  fish- 
scales  and  feathered  plates  of  solid  silver  so  neatly 
put  together  as  to  appear  like  a  casting.  The  face 
and  other  fleshy  parts  were  treated  to  a  liberal  coat 
ing  of  oil  and  copal,  giving  them  a  smooth  and  metal 
lic  appearance. 

The  other  end  of  the  hair  rope  was  fastened  to 
one  of  the  inner  obelisks.  These  were  novel  bul 
letin  boards;  for  each  day's  transaction  in  the 
market  was  heralded  by  the  appearance  of  many  small 
colored  flags  flying  above  the  particular  section  in 
active  trade,  or  to  announce  the  arrival  of  fresh 
supplies. 

Akaza  lived  on  Round  Top,  in  the  Temple  of 
Neptune.  The  monastery,  which  was  occupied  by 
the  highest  order  of  initiates,  was  surrounded  by 
high  white  walls.  The  temple  itself  was  square, 
four  stories  high,  and  had  entrances  facing  the 
cardinal  points.  Here  were  tall  trees  and  deep  soli 
tude,  away  from  the  bustle  and  turmoil  of  traffic. 

Akaza  stepped  into  the  Council  Chamber  on  his 
way  to  the  monastery  after  his  visit  to  Yermah.  Al- 
camayn,  the  jeweler,  was  presiding,  and  Setos,  the 
heap  of  flesh,  was  urging  the  necessity  for  sending 
a  deputation  of  merchants  into  the  territory  of  the 
Mazamas,  which  extends  from  the  Sierra  Nevada 
and  Coast  Ranges  of  mountains  on  the  southeast,  to 
the  confines  of  Behring  Sea  on  the  north  and  west. 
Mazamas  signified  mountain  climbers  and  was  not 
the  name  of  a  nation,  race  or  tribe. 

Traveling  merchants  in  those  days  were  not  a  set 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  23 

of  pack-saddle  peddlers,  as  they  became  in  later 
times.  They  were  a  distinct  guild  and  were  allowed 
to  carry  manufactured  articles  which  they  were  free 
to  exchange  for  anything  made  or  grown  by  another 
people.  They  went  about  with  many  attendants  and 
were  always  treated  with  consideration,  sometimes 
performing  diplomatic  service  connected  with  trade 
relations  and  in  exceptional  cases  acting  as  spies. 

"  The  Mazamas  are  not  of  our  faith.  They  are 
nature-worshipers,  and  must  fail  to  achieve  a  high 
place  in  the  affairs  of  this  continent.  They  have 
been  in  rebellion  against  our  cousins  of  Ian,  and  it  is 
the  part  of  prudence  to  look  upon  them  with  sus 
picion." 

"  Will  Setos  be  kind  enough  to  state  definitely 
what  he  expects  to  accomplish  by  dispatching  a  dele 
gation  from  the  guilds  in  his  group  to  a  friendly 
territory?"  asked  Alcamayn.  "If  war  is  the  pur 
pose,  Orondo  must  decide;  if  for  religious  propa 
ganda,  then  the  hierophant,  Akaza,  should  be  here 
to  speak." 

"  I  am  here  to  speak,"  declared  Akaza,  coming 
forward.  "  My  voice  is  for  a  visit  to  the  Mazamas, 
but  not  in  the  manner  proposed  by  Setos." 

Setos  flushed  —  hot  and  uncomfortable.  He  was 
not  intentionally  untruthful,  but  he  could  not  let  an 
opportunity  pass  unimproved  when  a  keen,  sharp 
transaction  would  materially  benefit  his  section  of  the 
industrial  guild. 

Akaza  looked  straight  at  him  and  said  quietly, 
"  I  will  not  have  spies  sent  into  the  house  of  a 
friend." 

'  Will  the  hierophant  enlighten  us  as  to  his 
wishes  ?  "  asked  Alcamayn,  respectfully. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


"  Yermah,  Orondo,  Setos,  Rahula,  and  Ildiko, 
with  proper  following,  will  accompany  me  on  a 
friendly  mission  to  the  high-priestess,  Keroecia." 

"Are  we  to  know  the  nature  of  this  mission?" 
queried  Setos. 

"  It  is  my  wish  that  the  high-priestess  visit  Tlamco. 
We  offer  our  services  as  arbiters  between  her  tribes 
men  and  the  government  of  Ian." 

"  Has  the  time  for  this  undertaking  been  de 
cided?" 

"  The  hour  of  departure  has  not  been  named,  but 
it  will  be  accomplished  while  the  guild  of  arts  is  in 
the  seat  of  judgment.  The  Dorado  desires  that 
Alcamayn  serve  in  his  stead.  He  will  not  be  long 
absent." 

Alcamayn  arose,  folded  his  hands  across  his 
breast  with  the  open  palm  turned  inward,  and  in 
clined  his  head  profoundly.  There  was  a  burst  of 
applause,  and  an  expression  of  acquiescence  from  the 
audience,  which  pleased  Alcamayn  mightily.  He 
was  a  young  Atlantian,  not  quite  acclimated  to 
Tlamco,  and  just  beginning  to  exercise  his  prerogative 
as  a  favorite  of  Yermah's  foster-father,  Poseidon. 

Noting  that  it  was  near  the  noon  hour,  Akaza 
said,  making  the  hierarchal  sign  of  benediction  : 

"  Have  done  I  If  Alcamayn  will  go  with  me  to 
the  Observatory,  I  will  fix  the  time  of  our  journey, 
also  its  duration,  that  he  may  be  better  able  to  de 
vote  his  energy  to  the  cause  of  his  fellow-servants. 
May  the  sun  preserve  and  keep  us  free  from  malice 
and  disease  —  two  mortal  enemies  of  the  soul." 

As  one  man  they  responded:  "  Haille,  Akaza! 
Haille!" 

Setos  was  primarily  a  man  of  stomach.     With  his 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  25 

reddish-brown  cloak  of  coarse  cloth  swinging  loosely 
from  his  shoulders,  and  shining  neck-ornaments  ag 
gressively  in  evidence,  he  elbowed  his  way  out  of  the 
building,  hastening  into  the  stalls  where  fresh  vege 
tables  and  fruits  were  laid  out  in  tempting  array. 
Setos's  barter  was  for  cucumbers  and  squashes,  giving 
in  exchange  taos  of  tin,  which  he  redeemed  later, 
with  bags  of  chalk,  kalsomine  and  staff.  He  was 
careful  to  see  that  the  custom  of  pelon  was  strictly 
enforced. 

For  each  regular  customer  a  tiny  tin  cylinder  was 
hung  up  in  the  stalls,  in  full  view,  marked  with  the 
name  and  number.  For  every  purchase  made  a  bean 
was  dropped  into  the  cylinder,  and  at  stated  times 
these  were  removed  and  counted.  Sixteen  beans  en 
titled  the  customers  to  a  rebate  in  commodities. 

Setos's  square  jaws  relaxed  and  his  thin  lips 
smacked  with  satisfaction  on  seeing  some  luscious 
melons.  He  had  already  selected  one,  bespeaking 
his  good  digestion  and  critical  eye,  when  his  daughter, 
Ildiko,  the  Albino,  called  to  him : 

"  Thou  by  whom  I  live,  Setos,  the  wise  father, 
come  with  me  to  Rahula  in  the  bazaar  of  sweet  odors. 
She  awaits  us  there." 

"  What  mischief  hast  thou  been  planning  this  fair 
day?  Is  it  new  raiment  or  a  bit  of  candied  sweets?  " 
questioned  Setos,  as  he  followed  Ildiko  from  the 
food  section  past  piles  of  cotton  in  bales,  wool,  flax, 
and  silk  in  the  raw  state,  to  where  the  manufactured 
articles  were  displayed. 

She  did  not  pause  in  the  section  devoted  to  dress 
or  ornament,  giving  only  a  passing  glance  to  the 
tapestries,  pottery,  enameled  and  jeweled  vessels, 
baskets  and  rugs  lying  about  in  confused  heaps. 


26  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  It  is  neither  of  these,"  she  explained  as  they 
went  along.  "  I  crave  thy  judgment  on  a  new  sweet 
coffer  fashioned  by  Alcamayn.  He  ornamented  it 
according  to  my  direction." 

"  Because  that  foolish  man  has  humored  an  idle 
whim  of  thine,  must  I  come  to  barter?  Out  upon 
both  of  ye!" 

"  Rahula  is  already  bargaining  for  one  of  the 
leather  pockets  held  in  a  filigree  of  gold.  Even 
widows  may  carry  these.  Thou  knowest  that  she 
is  very  strict  in  decorum  and  temple  service.  She 
says  that  perfumes  are  acceptable  to  the  Brother 
hood,  and  even  a  vestal  may  use  them  in  her  hair." 

lldiko,  daughter  of  the  moon,  knew  how  to  play 
upon  the  weakness  of  her  fellows  and  was  well  aware 
of  her  father's  predilections.  "  Thou  hast  no  words 
of  condemnation  for  Rahula,"  she  pouted. 

They  turned  into  the  portico  where  the  perfumers' 
bazaars  were  located  before  Setos  could  answer. 
The  young  woman  waited  for  the  effect  of  mingled 
odors  on  a  nature  whose  whole  bent  and  inclinations 
were  toward  the  appetites.  By  the  time  his  senses 
were  fully  alive  to  the  seductive  fragrance,  Rahula 
was  speaking  to  him.  She  was  past-mistress  of  the 
art  of  flattery. 

"  There  is  no  need  to  commend  thee  to  the  keep 
ing  of  the  gods  of  magic,  Setos.  Every  lineament 
of  thy  noble  face  bespeaks  exalted  favor." 

Setos  was  fatally  weak  with  women.  He  knew  it, 
and  alternately  made  love  to,  or  abused,  them. 

"  The  finger  of  Time  has  failed  to  touch  thee,"  he 
replied,  removing  his  conical  hat,  and  holding  it 
across  his  stomach  with  both  hands,  "  nor  hast  thou 
forgotten  the  offices  of  speech." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  27 

Rahula,  who  had  risen,  made  the  usual  sign  of  sub 
mission  with  her  long,  thin  fingers.  As  she  looked 
intently  from  father  to  child,  she  quickly  discerned 
that  Ildiko's  pink  countenance  was  puckered  into  a 
frown. 

"  Has  the  little  weaver,  Ildiko,  told  thee  of  her 
latest  success  at  the  loom?"  she  asked  with  fine 
tact. 

Ildiko  made  a  motion  of  dissent,  and  laid  her  fore 
finger  across  her  upper  lip.  None  knew  better  than 
she  that  silence  was  impossible.  It  suited  her  evasive 
disposition  to  make  mystery  of  the  most  trivial  cur- 
cumstance ;  she  was  in  reality  delighted  with  the  sen 
sation  she  was  making.  Many  of  the  shop-keepers 
and  some  of  the  passers-by  gathered  to  examine  the 
roll  of  fine,  gossamer-silk  tissue,  which  Rahula 
adroitly  drew  out  of  the  perfumed  pocket  held  in 
her  hand.  Setos  may  be  forgiven  the  glow  of  pride 
and  satisfaction  with  which  he  surveyed  the  product. 

At  this  moment  Ildiko  reached  over  and  picked  up 
the  identical  jeweled  coffer  which  she  had  in  mind 
when  she  went  in  search  of  her  father.  To  the 
feminine  eye  her  coveting  was  entirely  justified,  and 
when  she  managed  to  bring  the  dainty  bauble  be 
tween  the  silken  veil  and  Setos's  focus  of  vision,  he 
was  still  smiling  in  a  pleased  manner.  She  leaned 
on  him  affectionately,  and  said  in  a  coaxing  tone: 

"  The  water-lily  design  set  with  brilliants  was  my 
idea.  I  got  the  suggestion  from  the  pond  in  our 
garden,  when  the  fountain  left  a  fine  spray  like  dew- 
drops  in  the  heart  of  the  lilies  growing  there.  Dost 
thou  see  thy  favorite  rushes  in  the  twisted  lines  on 
the  mouth  and  handles?  " 

Setos  could  hold  out  no  longer. 


28  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  Must  I  find  thee  a  golden  chain  for  support?  "  he 
queried,  half  petulantly. 

History  fails  to  record  why  a  certain  type  of  man 
always  finds  fault  with  what  he  knows  in  his  soul  he 
must  do  for  his  women-folk.  Setos  was  troubled 
with  that  "  little  nearness  "  which  has  rendered  the 
Scotch  of  later  times  famous. 

"  If  the  chief  of  the  merchants'  guild  will  send 
some  of  his  excellent  wine  of  maguey  in  exchange, 
we  vendors  of  sweet  odors  will  be  content.  A  chain, 
which  we  can  procure  from  our  neighbors,  the  artifi 
cers  in  gold,  will  be  included  in  the  purchase  price." 

Setos  was  about  to  conclude  the  transaction,  when 
Rahula  said: 

"  Alcamayn  has  confided  to  me  his  intention  of 
making  a  chain  of  special  design,  which  he  will  pre 
sent  to  Ildiko,  with  consent  of  Setos." 

Without  further  parley  Setos  led  the  way  out  of 
the  stalls.  When  he  halted,  it  was  in  front  of  a 
booth  where  his  beloved  wine  of  maguey  was  kept 
in  abundance.  There  was  a  private  entrance  to  the 
enclosure  through  which  Setos  passed,  followed  by 
the  two  women. 

With  a  show  of  special  interest,  accompanied  by 
an  insinuating  smile,  Rahula  said:  "Hast  thou  a 
secret  in  the  fabrication  of  this  drink  unknown  to 
other  makers?  " 

Setos  shook  his  head  in  vigorous  negation  and  con 
tinued  giving  his  order  for  refreshing  drinks.  Ildiko 
preferred  pulque.  Rahula  ordered  metheglin,  a 
spiced  drink  made  by  boiling  fragments  of  beeswax 
and  honey  together,  allowing  it  to  ferment  after  it 
has  been  skimmed  and  clarified. 

"  Wilt  thou  hold  it  impertinent  in  me  to  ask  thee," 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  29 

continued  Rahula,  as  soon  as  she  could  attract  the  at 
tention  of  Setos,  "  to  what  process  thou  art  indebted 
for  the  superior  quality  of  thy  wine  of  maguey?  " 

"  It  is  made  from  the  guava  plant  cut  in  the  dark 
of  the  moon,  but  roasted  and  matured  in  the  light 
of  that  orb.  Care  in  manipulation  does  the  rest." 
Then  lowering  his  voice  and  making  a  grimace  as  he 
winked,  knowingly,  he  continued: 

"  No  one  suspects  that  my  bottles  are  made  of 
pliant  glass  and  that  only  the  covering  is  of  goats' 
skin." 

Standing  with  faces  toward  the  east,  they  bowed 
their  heads  reverently;  without  a  word  they  drank, 
not  heartily,  but  in  moderate  sips.  When  they  had 
swallowed  the  third  mouthful,  they  resumed  their 
seats.  The  women  nibbled  at  honey-cakes  and 
salted  nuts,  while  Setos  rolled  a  cigarette.  Before 
lighting  it,  he  said: 

"  Akaza,  the  hierophant,  announced  in  the  Council 
Chamber  at  meridian  that  a  visit  of  state  is  soon  to  be 
made  to  the  high-priestess,  Keroecia.  Thou  art  to 
be  my  companions  to  the  Yo-Semite,  where  the  Mon- 
bas  tribes  are  at  the  festival  of  renewal." 

"  Must  we  countenance  the  rites  of  these  childish 
worshipers  of  the  four  elements?  "  demanded  Rahula. 
Intolerance  was  one  of  the  bonds  of  sympathy  be 
tween  them. 

"  I  raised  that  question  in  Council,  but  Akaza 
vouchsafed  no  decided  answer." 

Both  were  silent  for  a  moment,  busy  with  the  same 
train  of  thought. 

"  Oh,  that  we  had  some  of  the  flying  vehicles  of 
thy  invention  in  Atlantis !  We  could  then  make  the 
journey  without  hardship  or  fatigue,"  said  Ildiko. 


30  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Setos  and  Rahula  quickly  exchanged  a  meaning  look, 
then  cast  furtive  glances  about  to  see  if  Ildiko  had 
been  overheard. 

"  Let  us  go  hence,"  said  Setos,  irritably. 
"  Speech  is  the  pale,  silvery  reflection  of  the  moon, 
my  daughter,  while  silence  is  the  golden  rays  of  the 
sun  and  the  wisdom  of  the  gods.  I  charge  thee  keep 
a  closer  watch  over  thy  tongue.  It  is  an  unruly 
member  and  performs  the  same  office  as  a  two-edged 
sword." 

When  it  came  time  to  separate,  Seto  said :  "  Akaza 
leads  us.  Yermah  and  Orondo  go  also;  while  Al- 
camayn  remains  and  serves  in  our  stead.  I  do  not 
doubt  the  loyalty  of  our  new  subjects;  but  Yermah 
seems  to  find  it  prudent  to  leave  some  of  his  own 
countrymen  at  the  helm." 

He  spoke  in  a  dissatisfied  way  —  the  reflex  of  his 
own  mind.  It  is  impossible  for  the  best  of  us  to  see 
beyond  the  reflection  of  ourselves;  so,  Setos  at 
tributed  to  Yermah  motives  which  would  have 
actuated  himself  in  a  similar  situation. 

Rahula,  the  fish-goddess,  speculated  on  her  way 
home  as  to  how  much  Ildiko  really  knew  of  the  rea 
sons  which  impelled  her  father  to  leave  Atlantis. 
She  shrewdly  guessed  that  his  presence  in  the  camp 
of  the  white  magicians  was  a  matter  of  expediency 
rather  than  conviction,  but  valued  her  position  as 
companion  and  confidante  of  Ildiko  too  highly  to 
jeopardize  it  by  an  injudicious  question. 

Rahula  was  content  to  let  matters  shape  themselves. 
Her  ambitions  found  satisfaction  in  the  encourage 
ment  Ildiko  gave  Alcamayn.  She  was  a  born  match 
maker  and  intrigante  and  knew  that  Ildiko  was  the 
apple  of  her  father's  eye  despite  his  petulancy  and 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  31 

parsimony.  Setos  was  a  man  of  ardent  love-nature 
whose  affections  had  not  all  been  buried  with  his  wife. 
Rahula's  gray  hair  and  parchment  skin  did  not  let 
all  hope  die  within  her. 


CHAPTER  THREE 

THE  VIRGINS  OF  THE    SUN  AND  THE  VOICE  OF 
TLAMCO 

ALCAMAYN,  the  fop,  and  Akaza,  "  the  old 
man   of   the   band,"    as   he   was    familiarly 
spoken  of  by  all  classes,  presented  a  striking 
contrast   as   they   walked   toward   the   Observatory, 
which  was  enclosed  in  a  circular  wall  and  dedicated 
to  Jupiter. 

Akaza,  tall,  spare  and  sinewy  wore  a  cloak  of  bro 
cade  in  varying  shades  of  green  shot  with  silver  discs. 
It  was  fastened  to  a  shoulder  collarette,  set  with 
pearls  imbedded  in  hollow  glass  beads  containing 
mercury.  His  breast-plate  of  bronze  had  a  gold  and 
silver  inlay,  while  his  long,  thin  white  hair  fell  over 
his  shoulders  and  the  crown  of  his  head  was  tonsured 
in  honor  of  the  sun.  Fastened  by  the  cord  at  his 
waist  was  a  cluster  of  narcissus  and  lilies.  He  car 
ried  a  green  jade  tao,  surmounted  by  an  eagle,  in  his 
right  hand,  showing  that  he  commanded  in  the  name 
of  science  instead  of  war. 

Alcamayn  was  small,  round-shouldered,  hook 
nosed  and  bushy  of  eye-brow.  His  small  beady  eyes 
had  a  shifty  downward  glance  as  if  he  were  intent  on 
examining  the  ground  at  his  companion's  side.  He 
had  been  a  sufferer  from  small-pox  and  he  was  ex 
tremely  sensitive  concerning  his  facial  disfigurement. 
Unable  to  submit  to  the  control  of  others,  he  was 

32 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  3d 

a  swaggerer,  a  braggart,  and  very  resentful.  Every 
little  slight  irritated  him  and  he  was  given  to  brood 
ing  over  his  wrongs.  When  he  had  magnified  the 
promptings  of  wounded  vanity  and  selfishness  into  a 
veritable  mountain,  he  struck  back  and  at  the  most 
unexpected  time. 

As  an  off-set  to  these  disabilities,  he  had  sterling 
honesty,  unswerving  loyalty  to  Akaza  and  Yermah, 
and  he  was  the  most  skillful  artificer  in  metals  and 
precious  stones  in  all  Tlamco.  He  was  inventive 
and  original,  having  added  many  fine  pieces  to  the 
collection  of  beautiful  vessels  in  the  temples  and  at 
laqua.  He  had  all  the  instincts  of  a  gambler  and 
on  more  than  one  occasion  came  dangerously  near 
indulging  in  the  forbidden  prank  of  drinking  too 
much. 

His  expert  knowledge  of  precious  stones  enabled 
him  to  display  magnificent  jewels  and  he  often  dis 
coursed  learnedly  on  their  speed,  refraction  and 
temper,  .much  as  lovers  of  gems  have  done  in  every 
age  since. 

Alcamayn  wore  amethysts  for  luck,  and  usually  a 
tunic  of  ochre  yellow  richly  trimmed  with  peacock 
feathers  and  silk  fringes.  His  head-piece  was  a  high 
cap  of  white  lambskin.  On  his  feet  were  jeweled 
sandals  and  chamois  leggins  were  met  at  the  knee 
by  a  full  short  cotton  skirt,  having  the  figures  of  the 
zodiac  embroidered  around  the  hem  in  a  bewilder 
ing  mixture  of  brilliant  hues. 

On  the  sides  of  Lone  Mountain,  which  the  men 
were  rapidly  approaching,  were  several  small  mounds, 
still  plainly  indicated.  Deep  tanks  were  hollowed 
out  on  the  top  of  each  of  these,  having  the  circular 
bottom  and  sides  lined  with  cement  and  filled  with 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


filtered  water.  In  addition  to  serving  as  observa 
tion  pools  for  the  sidereal  system,  these  tanks  fur 
nished  drinking  water  for  the  cavalry  and  infantry 
camps  situated  on  the  right  and  left  hand  side  of  the 
main  buildings. 

A  circular  tower  of  red  sandstone  and  brick  rose 
in  the  center  of  the  mountain  itself.  On  the  inside 
was  a  stone  stairway,  having  landings  at  the  various 
windows,  where  there  was  room  enough  for  such 
lenses  and  apparatus  as  was  necessary  to  fully  observe 
the  moon  and  stars  imaged  in  the  pools  below. 

The  reflection  of  the  sun  in  these  pools  marked 
the  hours  of  the  day  and  time  was  very  sensibly 
measured  by  studying  the  sidereal  system.  By  a  nice 
adjustment,  the  lenses  revolved  with  the  earth's  real 
motion.  The  Atlantians  and  all  of  their  descendants 
studied  the  reflection  of  the  planets  and  stars  in  a 
pool  of  filtered  water  sunk  below  the  earth's  surface. 

The  tower  tapered  toward  the  top,  and  under  an 
eight-sided  pyramidal  roof  hung  a  massive  copper 
bell,  which  was  struck  to  proclaim  the  hours. 
Around  the  circle  were  chime  bells,  one  for  each  of 
the  five-note  scale  ;  and  these  were  so  grouped  that  by 
hearing  them  one  knew  which  temple  service  was  in 
dicated.  When  it  was  time  to  go  to  a  temple,  these 
bells  were  rung  continuously  twelve  strokes;  then  a 
full  interval  of  rest  when  the  process  was  repeated 
three  times. 

The  "  Voice  of  Tlamco  "  as  the  huge  central  bell 
was  called,  rang  at  dusk,  warning  all  pedestrians  to  go 
to  their  dwellings.  Licensed  healers  of  the  priest 
craft  and  patrols  were  the  only  persons  allowed  on 
the  street  at  night,  except  on  extraordinary  occasions, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  35 

and  then,  the  "  Voice  of  Tlamco  "  tolled  with  won 
derful  effect. 

Lower  down,  covering  much  of  the  ground  now  oc 
cupied  by  San  Francisco  proper  were  the  ambulance 
sheds,  battering-rams  and  other  paraphernalia  used 
in  warfare.  These  were  enclosed  by  a  wall  which 
skirted  the  water's  edge,  not  where  the  sea-wall  now 
is,  but  as  the  water-front  was  known  to  the  founders 
of  Yerba  Buena. 

As  Akaza  and  Alcamayn  neared  the  entrance  of 
the  Observatory  they  met  a  procession  of  Virgins  of 
the  Sun,  coming  from  the  Temple  of  Venus.  It  was 
the  duty  of  these  virgins  to  replenish  the  sacred  fires 
kept  burning  continuously  on  the  towers  and  in  the 
temples  throughout  the  city.  A  crystal  lens  and  a 
bit  of  cotton  was  used  to  focus  the  sun's  direct  rays 
and  imprison  its  fires.  Once  ignited  the  flame  was 
held  sacred  and  constantly  fed,  lest  disaster  should 
befall  the  entire  tribe.  On  the  apex  of  the  octagonal 
belfry  was  a  twelve-sided  urn  filled  with  charcoal, 
upon  which,  with  proper  ceremonies,  four  times  in 
twenty-four  hours  were  placed  sticks  of  copal  and 
cedar.  At  midnight  and  at  sunrise  this  function  was 
performed  by  a  selected  order  of  priesthood.  At 
midday  and  at  sunset  it  was  done  by  the  vestals. 

As  the  women  advanced,  Akaza  and  Alcamayn 
saluted  —  Akaza,  by  carrying  his  open  palms  even 
with  his  forehead  on  each  side;  Alcamayn,  by  the 
sign  of  submission.  To  emphasize  his  symbol  of 
equality  Akaza  said : 

"  Thou  shalt  make  me  thy  servant." 

"  Thou  shalt  make  us  to  go  through  fire  and  water 
for  thee,"  they  responded  in  unison,  making  the  same 


36  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

obeisance  as  Alcamayn  had  done,  bending  the  knee 
and  with  a  downward  gesture  of  the  right  hand. 

The  jeweler  was  included  in  the  comprehensive 
bow  given  in  passing  but  no  further  words  were 
spoken.  He  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  his  respect 
and  admiration;  the  vestals  were  equally  frank  in 
their  curiosity.  They  had  seen  but  few  men  so 
fastidious  in  dress,  and  there  was  a  difference  between 
his  general  appearance  and  that  of  the  men  of  Tlamco. 

Passing  through  the  gateway  a  confusing  scene 
greeted  the  visitors.  Here  two  bands  of  warriors 
had  been  going  through  a  quaint  manual  of  arms  in 
a  competitive  drill  and  were  about  returning  to 
quarters.  Carrying  snake-headed  batons,  at  the  head 
of  the  column  were  the  superior  officers  who  acted  as 
judges.  Behind  them  came  the  two  ensign  bearers, 
one  flaunting  a  triangular-shaped  banner  of  em 
broidered  satin,  depicting  a  white  heron  on  a  rock. 
It  was  suspended  from  a  gold  bar,  supported  by  a 
burnished  bronze  standard,  finished  with  a  cluster  of 
brilliant-colored  plumes. 

The  other  emblem  was  a  white  satin  square, 
showing  a  golden  eagle  with  out-stretched  wings 
ornamented  with  silver-set  emeralds.  The  pole  was 
gilded,  and  tufted  at  the  top  with  curled  white  horse 
hair,  out  of  which  protruded  a  flaring  crest  of  pea 
cock  feathers. 

Back  of  each  standard  bearer  marched  the 
trumpeter  and  drummer  of  the  regiment.  A  blast 
from  the  trumpet,  and  a  movement  of  the  banners 
guided  the  companies,  while  general  orders  were 
signaled  by  the  gold-knobbed  baton. 

The  modern  drum-major  is  not  the  only  man  know 
ing  how  to  twirl  an  ornamental  baton,  as  he  casts 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  37 

side-long  glances  at  his  own  moving  shadow,  nor  is 
his  high-stepping  more  admired  to-day  than  it  was 
of  old.  Vanity  often  changes  the  details,  but  seldom 
the  actual  methods  of  self-gratification. 

The  leaders  wore  quilted  cotton  tunics  fitted  closely 
to  the  body.  Over  this  was  a  cuirass  of  thin  gold 
and  silver  plates,  in  imitation  of  feathers.  Leggins 
of  ooze  leather  were  attached  to  breech-clouts  of 
dark  blue  cotton,  while  the  feet  were  covered  with 
sandals  or  bull's-hide  moccasins  ornamented  with 
bead-work.  Wound  around  the  shoulders  was  a 
gayly  striped  mantle  of  fine  wool,  so  light  and  soft 
in  texture  that  in  actual  combat  it  served  as  a  sash 
for  the  waist. 

The  helmets  were  of  wood  fiber,  light  but  durable, 
from  the  crests  of  which  floated  a  panache  of 
feathers.  The  form  of  head  covering,  the  color  and 
arrangement  of  the  plumes,  indicated  the  family  and 
rank  of  the  wearer.  Every  warrior  carried  a  shield, 
either  of  metal,  or  leather,  or  a  light  frame  of  reeds 
covered  with  quilted  cotton. 

A  perfect  sea  of  spears  and  darts  tipped  with  trans 
parent  obsidian  or  fiery  copper,  sparkled  in  the  noon 
day  sun.  The  gay  head  coverings,  the  ribbons 
floating  in  the  air,  and  the  ornate  shields  wove  in 
and  out  in  serpentine  undulations,  finally  disappear 
ing  in  one  of  the  Long  Houses  used  for  mess. 

There  was  a  clash  and  a  rattle  of  arms  as  a  com 
pany  of  expert  archers  of  the  White  Heron  drew 
bow  and  discharged  three  arrows  at  a  time.  But 
there  was  quite  as  much  spirit  and  dash  in  the  hurling 
of  javelins  by  the  men  fighting  under  the  eagle 
blazonry.  To  this  weapon,  thongs  were  attached,  by 
means  of  which  the  knife  was  shot  through  the  air 


38  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

revolving  so  rapidly  that  it  seemed  like  a  ball  of  glit 
tering  steel.  Presently,  the  blade  returned  and  fell 
near  the  hand  that  gave  it  its  forward  impulse. 
Seldom,  if  ever,  was  there  an  accident  in  the  per 
formance  of  this  extremely  difficult  feat,  despite  the 
anxiety  and  solicitude  the  undertaking  always  in 
spired. 

On  constant  duty  was  a  group  of  fighting  men  who 
served  as  lookouts  at  the  various  points  of  vantage  in 
the  tower.  It  was  from  this  source  that  the  men  on 
parade  learned  that  Akaza,  the  spiritual  head,  and 
Alcamayn,  the  representative  of  civil  government, 
were  inside  the  fortification.  The  intelligence  was 
flashed  from  a  set  of  mirrors  and  the  impromptu  dis 
play  of  prowess  followed. 

That  there  was  keen  rivalry  in  the  competition, 
not  unmixed  with  envy  was  shown  very  quickly,  when 
a  partisan  of  the  White  Heron,  threw  dirt  into  the 
face  of  an  adherent  of  the  Eagle  Banner. 

The  parade  ground  was  cleared  at  the  time,  but  it 
was  only  a  moment  before  a  crowd  collected  around 
the  angry  disputants.  They  were  dragged  apart  and 
hurried  in  opposite  directions  by  friendly  hands, 
whose  good  offices  did  not  cease  until  the  men  were 
brought  back  and  made  to  sing  the  national  chant. 
First  one  man  sang,  then  the  other,  while  their 
auditors  clapped  their  hands  in  accompaniment,  and 
passed  judgment  on  their  efforts. 

The  insulted  man  took  the  initiative.  While 
singing,  he  offered  his  hand  to  the  offender.  The 
face  of  the  latter  clouded,  but  the  eyes  of  the  camp 
were  upon  him.  He  sullenly  took  the  outstretched 
hand,  and  finally  the  two  voices  blended  in  unison. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  39 

Their  comrades  swelled  the  chorus  to  a  mighty 
shout  and  the  whole  difficulty  was  over. 

This  was  in  the  Golden  Age,  in  Pre-historic  Amer 
ica,  when  the  man  who  served  was  a  great  soul,  and 
he  who  refused  to  resent  an  insult,  the  brave  one. 

Blood  surged  through  the  veins  of  Alcamayn, 
caused  by  accelerated  heart-action  as  he  kept  a  firm 
hold  of  Akaza's  waist,  to  assist  the  hierophant  in 
following  the  sinuosities  of  the  winding  stairway  in 
the  tower.  Finally  they  stood  alone  on  the  roof, 
and  as  soon  as  the  elder  man's  breathing  became 
normal,  he  faced  the  east,  and,  with  outstretched 
arms,  cried: 

"  I  adore  Him  who  enables  me  to  endure." 

Alcamayn  bowed  his  head,  and,  making  the  same 
genuflection,  murmured: 

"  I  give  thanks  to  Him  whose  strength  hath  sup 
ported  me  thus  far." 

Slowly  and  impressively  the  twain  faced  the  other 
cardinal  points  and  repeated  the  same  words.  Then 
Alcamayn  gave  hand,  and  Akaza  soon  retraced  his 
steps  to  where  the  mechanical  apparatus  for  astro 
nomical  calculations  and  observations  were  in  posi 
tion.  While  thus  occupied,  Alcamayn  surveyed  the 
whole  city,  going  from  one  lookout  to  another. 

It  was  a  perfect  day,  and  his  surroundings  re 
sembled  an  enormous  ant-hill,  with  throngs  of  work 
ers  going  in  and  coming  out  of  the  houses,  or  hasten 
ing  along  the  thoroughfares.  He  turned  to  the  bay, 
where  a  vision  of  surpassing  beauty  rewarded  him. 

Not  a  wisp  of  fleecy  cloud  dimmed  the  blue  vault 
overhead;  the  only  flecks  of  color  being  the  pinks  and 
lavenders  blended  into  the  sky-line  above  the  horizon. 


40  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  soft,  limpid  atmosphere  revealed  the  outlines 
of  the  shore  indentations,  whose  lights  and  shadows 
added  their  quota  to  the  indescribable  charm.  The 
water  was  smooth  and  clear  as  a  sheet  of  crystal, 
with  big  and  little  crafts  moving  here  and  there  in 
stinct  with  life  and  industry. 

Off  what  is  now  Black  Point,  Alcamayn  saw  a 
party  of  fishermen  with  their  dogs  and  skiffs  making 
for  the  shore.  There  were  two  groups  of  men  and 
dogs  already  on  the  beach  at  stations  about  two  hun 
dred  yards  apart. 

At  a  given  signal  the  dogs  started  from  their 
given  points  and  swam  straight  out  seaward,  single 
file  in  two  columns.  At  a  sharp  cry  from  one  of  the 
men  on  the  beach,  the  right  column  wheeled  to  the 
left,  and  the  left  column  wheeled  to  the  right,  until 
the  head  of  each  line  met. 

Then  another  signal  was  given,  at  which  they  all 
turned  and  swam  abreast  to  the  shore.  As  the  dogs 
neared  the  beach,  increasing  numbers  of  fish  ap 
peared  in  the  shallow  water.  When  their  feet 
touched  bottom,  the  animals  pounced  upon  their 
finny  captives  and  carried  them  to  their  masters. 
Each  dog  was  given  the  head  of  the  fish  he  had  se 
cured,  as  his  share  of  the  catch.  The  dog  who 
caught  nothing  received  nothing. 

For  a  long  time  Alcamayn  was  unable  to  distin 
guish  any  member  of  the  party  now  coming  city-ward, 
but  he  could  see  that  it  was  of  unusual  importance. 
Soon  he  caught  sight  of  Yermah  seated  in  a  palan 
quin,  which  was  borne  on  the  shoulders  of  four  black 
men,  and  then  he  saw  Oghi  streaking  along  ahead  of 
the  pack  of  dogs  which  were  in  full  cry  at  his  heels. 
The  ocelot  often  sprang  to  one  side  and  played  with 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  41 

his  canine  pursuers,  while  anon  he  scaled  a  wall  for 
their  special  delection.  He  was  a  magnificent  swim 
mer,  and  a  good  fisher,  despite  the  fact  that  he  oc 
casionally  put  his  sharp  teeth  through  the  fish,  ren 
dering  it  unfit  for  other  than  his  own  use. 

"  It  is  near  the  third  marking  past  meridian- 
time,"  said  Akaza ;  "  and  when  the  circle  is  once 
more  completed  there  will  be  but  ten  days  remaining 
before  we  shall  begin  our  mission  of  amity." 

"Have  fitting  preparations  been  made?"  asked 
Alcamayn. 

"  Hanabusa  must  take  cognizance  that  a  compli 
ment  of  balsas  do  escort  duty  at  commencement.  A 
signal  from  laqua  will  apprise  him." 

"  Yermah  is  but  returning  from  a  fishing  expedi 
tion  beachward.  I  have  visioned  him  from  an  upper 
lookout." 

"  Then  let  him  have  speech  with  thee  at  once. 
Take  freely  the  counsel  he  imparts,  and  let  me  have 
assurance  of  his  assent  when  the  windows  of  thy 
soul  greet  and  speed  our  parting  hence.  Peace  abide 
with  thee." 

He  lightly  kissed  the  forehead  bared  and  inclined 
toward  him. 

Alcamayn  paused  a  moment  on  the  threshold  and 
gazed  lingeringly  into  a  kindly  countenance  flushed 
by  close  mental  application. 

"  May  the  preservative  principle  of  the  Trinity 
have  thee  entirely  in  its  keeping,"  he  responded,  as 
he  passed  from  view  down  the  same  spiral  which 
had  given  him  so  much  labor  to  ascend  earlier  in  the 
day. 


CHAPTER  FOUR 

DISPATCHING  RUNNERS  TO  THE  YO-SEMITE 

THE  Servitors  of  Tlamco  were  held  strictly 
responsible  for  the  conduct  of  their  respec 
tive  offices.  Promotion  and  preference  did 
not  depend  upon  birth  but  on  deeds. 

"What  has  he  done?"  was  the  question  pro 
pounded  when  a  candidate  presented  himself  for  an 
office  of  public  trust,  and  the  same  query  met  his 
lifeless  body  when  it  was  offered  for  burial.  So 
cially,  and  in  the  temples  the  same  rule  followed;  so 
that  distinctive  service  was  the  mainspring  of  their 
civilization. 

Next  to  the  priestly  office,  agriculture  ranked 
highest  in  the  choice  of  occupations.  Men  pro 
foundly  learned  in  every  branch  of  it  were  continually 
in  attendance  at  laqua.  There  were  stations  de 
voted  to  observation  of  climatic  conditions;  to  the 
reclamation  of  wild  fruits  and  cereals,  or  the  propa 
gation  of  new  ones  for  food;  to  the  surveying  and 
proper  distribution  of  lands ;  to  the  building  of  aque 
ducts,  canals,  bridges,  granaries  and  public  high 
ways  —  to  say  nothing  of  the  research  in  the  extrac 
tion  of  dye  stuffs  from  both  vegetable  and  mineral 
substances. 

Nearly  all  of  the  cereals  and  fruits  known  to  man 
were  reclaimed  from  a  wild  state  by  the  contempo 
raneous  inspiration  of  these  times. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 43 

The  surrounding  country  was  divided  into  four 
sections  or  provinces,  while  the  populace  was  grouped 
into  tens,  having  an  official  who  attended  to  minor 
details.  Every  thousand  of  the  population  had  a 
magistrate.  Each  ten  thousand,  or  fraction  thereof, 
had  a  governor,  who  was  one  of  the  Counselors  of 
State. 

Orondo  was  at  the  head  of  the  Civil  Counselors, 
and  it  was  to  him,  as  first  judge,  that  all  questions  of 
moment  were  submitted.  Monthly  reports  were 
made  to  him  by  inspectors  sent  out  for.  this  purpose 
—  men  who  served  a  lifetime  without  any  other  re 
muneration  than  the  medals  and  prestige  their  posi 
tions  insured.  The  priests  owned  nothing  for  them 
selves  or  their  temples,  nor  did  the  advocates  or 
healers  receive  recompense  for  service. 

The  community  was  superior  to  the  individual,  and 
the  government  provided  for  the  needs  of  all  its 
people.  The  land  was  divided  into  three  parts; 
that  belonging  to  the  sun  supported  the  priesthood, 
and  built  and  maintained  its  temples. 

Education  was  in  the  hands  of  the  warrior-priests 
and  the  Virgins  of  the  Sun;  so  the  universities  and 
schools  drew  their  support  from  the  same  source. 
The  next  third  belonged  to  the  government  and  was 
cultivated  for  its  benefit. 

The  unit  of  value  was  a  day's  labor,  and  all  the 
taxes  were  paid  in  this  way.  When  the  people  had 
planted  the  remaining  third  of  the  land  for  their  own 
use,  they  worked  alternately  for  the  government 
(constructing  public  roads)  and  on  the  sun  lands. 

Hospitals  for  the  aged,  for  orphans,  and  for  the 
sick  were  a  part  of  the  government  expense,  institu 
tions  universally  copied  from,  but  seldom  accredited 


44  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

to  the  Aztecs  and  Peruvians  by  modern  civiliza 
tion. 

No  man  was  allowed  to  take  advantage  in  a  barter. 
Disputes  arose  every  day  among  the  guilds  in  the 
bazaars,  but  there  was  the  same  clannish  feeling 
among  them  that  has  since  made  and  maintained  the 
family.  Each  trade  was  loyal  to  its  own.  They 
were  ashamed  to  have  a  neighboring  guild  know 
that  they  quarreled,  and  it  was  a  very  aggravated 
case  which  invoked  the  law. 

When  planting-time  came,  Orondo  turned  the  first 
furrow  of  sod,  and  the  Virgins  of  the  Sun  dropped 
the  seeds,  while  Akaza  commended  the  undertaking 
to  the  four  elements. 

There  were  songs  of  rejoicing,  and  much  exhibi 
tion  of  skill  in  cultivation,  which  at  the  close  of  the 
season,  was  rewarded  by  prizes  and  medals  from 
Yermah's  own  hand.  There  were  no  idle  men  and 
women,  and  no  paupers  in  these  communities,  while 
to  be  accused  of  laziness  was  a  great  disgrace. 

The  private  houses  in  Tlamco  were  of  sun-dried 
bricks,  covered  with  stucco,  elaborately  ornamented 
and  delicately  tinted.  They  were  seldom  more  than 
one  story  high,  with  ceilings  of  ornamental  woods, 
while  the  walls  were  tinted  or  hung  with  simple 
cotton  tapestries.  The  flat-roofs  were  often  bright 
with  potted  plants,  and  these  dwellings  were  invari 
ably  surrounded  by  flowers  and  a  stretch  of  green 
sward. 

The  hospitals,  the  barracks,  the  Brotherhood 
houses  and  those  occupied  by  the  priestesses  faced  the 
cardinal  points  and  were  the  squares  within  the  cir 
cular  streets.  They  were  uniformly  four  stories 
high,  with  truncated  sloping  roofs,  and  terraced 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  45 

grounds,  forming  ornamental  bits  of  landscape 
among  the  trees,  and  commanding  a  fine  view  of  bay 
and  harbor. 

Clusters  of  sunflowers  grew  here  and  there  in  out- 
of-the-way  places.  Free  use  was  made  of  cherry, 
laurel,  clove  and  lavender  plants  along  the  highways, 
because  they  were  known  to  produce  ozone;  and  the 
gardens  contained  their  favorite  flowers  —  narcissus, 
hyacinth  and  mignonette  in  abundance. 

Orondo  was  giving  an  audience  to  the  mathema 
ticians  who  were  employed  in  the  Hall  of  Quippos, 
at  laqua,  where  the  government  accounts  were  kept. 
And  when  it  was  known  that  Alcamayn  had  arrived 
Orondo  sent  and  begged  his  presence.  When  the 
jeweler  stepped  into  the  hall,  he  found  the  place  lit 
tered  with  quippos  of  all  kinds.  They  were  scat 
tered  about  on  chairs,  on  the  tables,  and  some  were 
hanging  upon  the  walls,  while  clerks  called  the  num 
bers  and  tallied  the  curiously  knotted  cords  in  a  mo 
notonous  drone. 

There  were  intricate  estimates  for  the  warriors 
shown  by  the  red  cords  and  fringes;  yellow  denoted 
the  gold  used  in  the  mechanical  arts  and  industries 
and  in  the  temples ;  but  these  were  few  and  simple  in 
combination  compared  with  the  white  ones,  indica 
ting  the  enormous  amount  of  civil  transactions  for  the 
current  month. 

Silver  was  used  for  state  accounts,  and  its  knots 
were  curious  little  buttons,  full  of  meaning  for  the 
men  who  mastered  the  art  of  the  quippos.  The 
largest  bundle  of  all  was  the  green,  which,  by  its 
varying  shades  and  fanciful  combinations  recorded 
the  amount  of  wheat,  corn  and  all  agricultural  pro 
duce  owned  or  used  by  the  pueblo  city  of  Tlamco. 


46  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  One  knot !     Red  signal  corps,"  called  the  teller. 

"  Signal  corps,  ten,"  answered  the  tally. 

"  Two  single  knots,  and  one  knot  doubly  inter 
twined,  silver,  Alcamayn." 

"  Two  knots,  twenty ;  one  doubly  intertwined,  one 
hundred,"  repeated  the  tally. 

"  One  knot,  triply  intertwined,  yellow,  Alcamayn." 

"Hold!"  cried  Orondo.  "Alcamayn,  hast  thou 
made  requisition  for  a  thousand  grains  of  gold? 
Thy  parchment  is  not  properly  stamped,  and  we  can 
not  give  thee  so  much  treasure  on  irregular  demand." 

"  Wilt  thou  grant  me  to  see  it?  "  said  Alcamayn, 
reaching  out  for  the  document.  "  I  must  have  both 
gold  and  silver  quickly.  There  will  scarce  be  time 
enough  to  prepare  the  gifts  needed  because  of  thy 
going  to  the  Monbas." 

"It  grieves  me  that  I  cannot  aid  thee;  but  thou 
must  have  recourse  to  the  Dorado." 

"  A  foolish  blunder  leaves  it  without  number, 
also,"  said  Alcamayn,  with  a  frown,  handing  the 
order  to  a  tamane.  "  Yermah  is  engrossed  with  the 
priestesses  caring  for  the  fatherless.  Dost  thou 
know  that  he  has  issued  an  edict  that  all  guilds  and 
communes  must  sup  together  once  in  each  lunation?  " 

"  The  Azes  are  grown  lax  in  hospitality,  and  we 
must  give  them  an  example,"  responded  Orondo. 

The  tamane  returned  with  the  parchment  properly 
numbered  and  viseed. 

"  He  whom  we  delight  to  serve  bids  thee  follow 
me.  He  would  fain  have  counsel  with  thee." 

In  obedience  to  the  message,  Orondo  crossed  the 
hall,  and  passed  to  the  right,  avoiding  the  audience 
chambers. 

Yermah  had  risen  and  was  dismissing  the  priest* 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  47 

esses,  after  issuing  orders  on  the  state  granaries  for 
their  requirements. 

"  Spare  no  efforts  to  make  these  flowers  of  human 
ity  happy  as  birds  of  air,"  he  said.  "  I  charge  thee 
to  give  them  plenty  of  sweets,  music  and  games  for 
their  amusement." 

"  Wilt  thou  not  lend  us  thy  presence?  " 

"  Affairs  of  urgency  prevent  indulgence  of  personal 
desires,  but  I  shall  not  forget  to  send  best  thoughts." 

"  May  Jupiter  the  beneficent  be  in  the  ascendant 
throughout  thy  journey." 

He  made  the  sign  of  submission  and  bent  the  knee 
in  courtly  fashion. 

"  May  his  jovial  and  benign  rays  descend  on  all 
thy  efforts.  Success  be  with  thee  and  thy  wards," 
was  Yermah's  reply. 

"  The  secret  of  happiness,"  said  Setos,  senten- 
tiously,  "is  in  having  constant  employment  for  both 
body  and  mind.  I  shall  advise  — " 

"  What  wilt  thou  advise,  Setos?"  asked  Yermah, 
as  he  seated  himself  at  the  council  table  in  his  private 
office,  where  Alcamayn  and  Orondo  had  been  wait 
ing  for  him. 

"  Duty  compels  me  to  suggest  severe  measures  for 
women  neglecting  their  households  and  allowing 
their  children  to  be  seen  in  filthy  rags.  Near  the 
Temple  of  Neptune  I  complain  of  three  houses  un 
lawfully  dirty.  It  surprised  me  that  Akaza  made 
no  mention  of  this  in  conference  to-day." 

"  It  were  possible  that  he  saw  them  not.  He 
would  be  for  mercy;  and  so  am  I." 

Yermah  was  in  a  genial  mood  as  his  voice  and 
manner  indicated. 


48  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"What  hast  thou  done  with  the  offenders?" 
asked  Orondo,  quietly. 

"  The  first  family  was  warned ;  the  second  are 
now  being  paraded  up  and  down  the  street.  They 
have  been  admonished  once  before,  and  if  it  were 
in  my  discretion,  they  would  be  soundly  whipped. 
Humiliation  may  serve  with  some  natures,  but 
corporal  punishment  is  better  for  others." 

"  Thou  sayest  they.     Whom  dost  thou  mean?  " 

"  The  father  and  mother,  and  two  young  girls. 
The  law  is  no  respecter  of  persons." 

"  And,  in  addition,  thou  wouldst  have  me  order 
them  whipped?  " 

"N-o-o;  I  only  wish  thy  consent  to  propose  the 
measure  at  the  next  council  meeting." 

Yermah  made  a  gesture  of  dissent,  and  asked 
pointedly: 

"  What  punishment  hast  thou  meted  out  to  the 
third  offense?  " 

"  I  have  application  here,  awaiting  thy  signet, 
that  I  may  take  the  children  away  from  the  shiftless 
sloven  who  gave  them  ingress  to  light." 

"  Is  she  widowed?  " 

"  Yes ;  but  she  has  been  found  guilty  the  third 
time." 

"  The  application  is  denied  for  the  present. 
Alcamayn  will  be  guardian  of  streets  in  our  absence. 
Upon  returning,  I  shall  lend  mine  ear  to  domestic 
affairs.  Of  late  disturbances  and  complaints  have 
been  frequent  from  that  quarter." 

Touchy,  vain-glorious  Setos  nettled  at  this. 

"  Do  my  fellows  think  me  unmindful  of  duty?  " 

"  No;  only  over-zealous.  It  is  not  in  the  province 
of  good  government  to  meddle  with  private  affairs. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  49 

The  best  interests  of  posterity  and  the  economic  use 
of  sustenance,  with  care  of  the  person,  are  all  that 
can  be  demanded." 

"  Akaza  is  competent  to  advise  thee,"  interposed 
Orondo.  "  These  matters  properly  come  under  his 
dominion." 

"  Akaza  will  undoubtedly  agree  with  me,"  said 
Setos,  catching  at  a  straw  for  justification.  "  The 
first  evidence  of  Initiation  is  a  sensitive  condition  of 
the  organs  of  smell.  The  novitiate  is  required  to 
discover  the  deadly  effects  of  putrescent  gases,  and 
even  children  are  taught  that  whatever  offends  the 
nostrils  injures  the  body." 

They  rose  simultaneously,  and  Orondo  opened 
the  door  leading  into  the  public  reception  hall. 

"  The  runners  are  here,  waiting  to  carry  our 
greetings  to  the  Monbas  and  their  high  priestess." 

"  Go  and  dispatch  them,  Orondo.  I  trust  thee  to 
lay  the  lash  on  them  lightly.  Go,  thou,  also,  Setos, 
to  see  that  they  get  the  regulation  stripes  before 
setting  forth." 

The  Dorado  picked  up  the  parchments  signed  and 
sealed  earlier  in  the  day,  and  locking  them  in  a 
strong  box  of  curious  design,  dismissed  the  two 
courtiers  with  a  nod  and  a  smile. 

"  I  pray  thee  return  quickly.  Alcamayn  needs 
advice  from  thee  respecting  thy  special  departments 
of  service." 


CHAPTER  FIVE 

THE   TEMPLE   OF   LOVE   IN   THE    LAND   OF   FIRE 

THE  watchers  on  the  top  of  Mount  Diablo 
looked  anxiously  for  sunrise  the  morning 
Yermah  and  his  followers  rowed  slowly 
across  San  Francisco  Bay,  hugging  the  shorelines 
until  the  mouth  of  the  Sacramento  River  was  reached. 

Four  times  in  the  year  the  early  visitor  to  Mount 
Diablo  sees  the  "  Shadow  of  the  Devil  "  cast  a  tri 
angular  outline  against  its  grizzled  peak.  The  con 
tacts  last  but  a  second  and  fade  like  a  breath  of  mist 
from  a  looking-glass. 

All  of  the  cluster  of  piny  hills  which  surrounds 
Diablo  like  brilliants  around  a  stone  of  the  first  water 
are  still  in  darkness,  and  the  two  large  valleys  at 
either  side  seem  an  indistinct  blur,  when  the  heavy, 
phantom-like  shadow  is  thrown  on  the  scene,  slant 
ingly,  clear,  and  sudden. 

On  the  right  side  of  the  mountain,  the  light  near 
est  the  black  line  that  accentuates  the  shadow  is  palest 
yellow,  shading  gradually  into  green,  until  it  is  lost 
in  the  yellow-brown  of  the  hills.  To  the  left  the 
line  is  reddish,  and  the  shadow  blue-black. 

That  the  triangle  shaped  itself  perfectly,  and 
gave  good  omen  of  the  enterprise  in  hand,  was  evi 
dent  from  the  excitement  among  the  men  whose  duty 
it  was  to  signal  the  good  news  to  the  Observatory 

50 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  51 

tower  in  Tlamco,  and  also  to  the  fleet  in  the  bay  and 
river. 

Without  mishap  or  deterrent  incident  the  expedi 
tion  found  its  way  up  the  river  past  the  bog-rushes, 
or  tules,  which  gossip  among  themselves  throughout 
the  year.  Occasionally  the  cry  of  a  lone  bittern  or 
loon  warned  the  invaders  of  a  priority  of  claim  upon 
the  sustenance  hidden  by  the  murky  waters  or  along 
the  grassy  banks. 

The  wild  things  were  startled  and  much  dis 
tressed  by  such  unaccustomed  tumult,  but  their  feeble 
protests  failed  to  disturb  the  serenity  of  the  human 
contingent  secure  in  a  might-made  right  to  be  the 
over-lords  of  all  less  gifted  creatures.  When  they 
arrived  at  the  point  which  is  now  occupied  by  the 
city  of  Stockton,  the  entire  party  disembarked,  and, 
taking  to  the  saddle,  pushed  on  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible. 

Who  can  describe  springtime  in  California? 
From  Yuma  to  the  Klamath  what  waving  of  leafy 
banners,  what  marvelous  music  of  bird-song,  what 
conquest  of  grass-blades,  what  routing  of  first  usurp 
ers! 

Mystical  California !  Where  the  Ice  Age  never 
came,  and  where  the  magnetism  of  pre-historic  times 
still  lingers  to  attract  race  skandhas  which  shall  be 
gin  the  upward  spiral  of  a  new  sub-race  great  in 
psychological  possibilities  I 

The  days  of  peonage  have  passed  forever.  The 
cavaliers  and  the  padres  were  oppressed  by  the 
Aztec ;  he,  in  turn,  suffered  at  the  hands  of  the  Argo 
naut. 

Over  the  surface  of  placer  and  quartz  mines, 
vines,  fig-trees  and  olives  hide  the  scars  made  by 


52  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

sturdy  miners,  and  dispute  prestige  with  the  golden 
grains  which  have  been  the  staff  of  life  to  many 
alien  born,  and  the  end  is  not  yet. 

The  California  of  Cabrillo's  day  was  a  contin 
uous  flower-garden  from  north  to  south.  It  must 
have  been  fair  to  view  before  mission  sheep  and 
horses  tramped  down  the  hills,  where  once  only  the 
grizzly  bear  and  deer  roamed  unafraid  long  after 
the  memory  of  Atlantis  itself  had  been  lost  in  ac 
cumulating  centuries. 

The  early  mariners  of  our  dispensation  called  the 
southern  hills  the  "  Land  of  Fire,"  because  of  the 
blaze  at  poppy-time  —  the  copo  del  oro  of  the  padre 
and  cavalier,  the  Yankee  gold-cup,  the  Russian 
eschscholtzia.  Then  as  now  the  yellow  lupines, 
loved  by  the  rag-tag-and-bobtail  of  the  insect  world, 
flourished  beside  the  blue  and  purple  blossoms  of 
more  pretentious  claims,  flirting  with  daintier  bees 
and  butterflies. 

The  mints  are  a  family  of  pedigree,  and  with  all 
their  kith  and  kindred  they  camped  in  clans  about 
field  and  wood.  Sage,  thyme,  and  savory  have  al 
ways  been  well  spoken  of  for  yeoman  service,  while 
rosemary  and  lavender  are  beloved  of  the  poets. 

California  has  both  white  and  purple  sweet  wild 
mint,  and  her  sage-bushes  yield  to  the  bees  honey 
next  to  that  made  from  clover  for  richness  and 
whiteness.  Everywhere  on  the  trail  Yermah's  com 
panions  found  the  Yerba  Buena,  which  name  in  later 
years  was  applied  to  their  beloved  Tlamco. 

There  were  no  quartz  or  gravel  mines  in  those 
days.  The  battea  of  the  Mexican  and  the  horn- 
spoon  of  the  "  forty-niner  "  had  no  place  in  the 
pack-train  —  for  the  auriferous  gravel  had  not  been 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  53 

thrown  to  the  surface  in  great  ridges,  and  the  blue 
veins  which  are  the  natural  beds  for  gold  were  in 
some  instances  thousands  of  feet  below  the  surface. 

The  combined  action  of  air,  water,  sunshine,  frost 
and  earthquake  were  yet  to  disintegrate  the  matrix 
of  quartz  and  set  the  precious  metals  free,  or  else 
to  ingulf  them  in  tons  of  molten  lava  after  vaporiz 
ing  them  in  the  bowels  of  the  earth. 

Time  has  wrought  many  of  these  changes  since, 
and  the  heavy  rains  have  washed  the  light  silica  into 
the  water  courses,  and  thence  to  the  valleys,  thus 
forming  the  soil  and  gravel  which  has  yielded  gold 
in  this  sun-down  land. 

It  was  here  that  the  early  prospector  found  his 
reward,  and  it  is  here  also  that  the  battle  over  the 
disposal  of  the  debris  left  by  hydraulic  process  has 
been  fought  out  by  miner  and  husbandman. 

Then  the  cactus  family,  those  outcasts  of  the 
desert  which  are  said  to  have  survived  the  last  gla 
cial  period,  flourished  in  all  their  quaint  ugliness.  By 
long  centuries  of  adaptation  of  scanty  means  to  the 
ends  of  growth,  the  cactus  has  discarded  its  leaves 
and  developed  a  fleshy  stem,  cylindrical,  rectangu 
lar,  triangular,  flat,  or  round,  but  always  armed  with 
long  needles.  As  a  compensation,  it  bears  exquisite 
blossoms  of  dainty  tissue  pistils  and  yellow  ravelings 
of  stamens,  while  its  fruits  might  have  been  the 
golden  apples  of  Hesperides. 

Akaza  directed  his  party  to  take  a  trail  leading  to 
the  south  side  of  the  Merced  River,  nearly  two 
thousand  feet  lower  than  the  route  followed  by 
tourists  of  later  times.  Suddenly  from  out  one  of 
the  gray-green  clusters  of  cacti  darted  a  coarse- 
plumaged  bird,  marked  with  brown  and  white  specks 


54  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

on  the  upper  part,  while  the  lower  portion  of  its 
body  was  a  dingy  white. 

Oghi  gave  chase  immediately,  but  it  distanced 
him,  with  insolent  flinging  of  sand  and  dust  which 
quite  surprised  this  intrepid  hunter.  He  did  nofc 
know  whether  to  be  frightened  or  ashamed  of  him 
self.  At  an  encouraging  word  from  Yermah,  he 
laid  his  ears  back  close  to  his  head  and  again  tried 
the  chase.  The  bird  manifested  no  disposition  to 
fly  or  to  leave  the  trail. 

The  trumpeter  blared  a  command  to  halt,  and  the 
entire  expedition  came  to  a  standstill. 

"  Dismount  for  refreshment  and  rest,  first  giving 
attention  to  the  horses,"  was  the  word  passed  along 
the  line. 

Soon  the  tamanes  were  bustling  about  and  making 
necessary  arrangements  for  Yermah's  comfort, 
while  he  and  Akaza  were  intent  upon  examining  the 
covert  from  which  the  road-runner  started.  A  shout 
brought  Setos  and  Orondo  to  his  side,  and  after 
them,  one  by  one,  the  whole  party. 

"  I  am  of  opinion,"  said  Setos,  "  that  this  strange 
bird,  or  beast,  intended  to  eat  the  rattlesnake  it  had 
killed." 

"  Not  so,"  returned  Akaza.  "  The  body  has 
been  pecked  full  of  holes  and  the  bird  was  evidently 
about  to  abandon  it  when  disturbed  by  Oghi." 

"  See  how  well  the  creature  has  outlined  a  circle 
in  laying  these  pieces  of  cactus  leaves  around  the 
snake,"  remarked  Orondo,  intently  examining  the 
crude  architectural  plan. 

"  Dost  thou  know  anything  about  its  habits?  "  in 
quired  Yermah,  turning  to  one  of  the  piloting  ta 
manes. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  55 

"  Yes,  my  master.  This  bird  is  the  natural  en 
emy  of  rattlesnakes.  It  remains  concealed  until  the 
reptile  is  fast  asleep  in  the  warm  sand.  With  its 
sharp  bill  it  is  easy  to  take  off  part  of  a  cactus 
leaf,  as  thou  seest.  Instinct  teaches  how  to  place 
them  in  a  circle.  This  done,  it  throws  caution 
to  the  wind  and  rouses  the  snake.  Then  there 
is  a  battle  royal.  The  snake  can  not  crawl  over 
the  cactus  needles  and  finally  dies  of  its  own 
bite." 

"  Does  the  bird  eat  any  portion  of  its  victim?" 
asked  Setos. 

"  Nothing  except  the  eyes.  The  remainder  of 
the  body  is  scattered  about  in  the  sand,  as  thou 
seest." 

"  Oghi  will  bring  him  back  captive,  but,  I  fear 
me,  badly  mutilated." 

"  The  ocelot  will  never  catch  him.  These  birds 
outfoot  a  thoroughbred.  They  are  quicker,  shyer, 
more  alert  even  than  Oghi.  Besides,  the  smell  of 
them  is  quite  enough  for  a  fastidious  animal." 

It  was  long  after,  and  when  the  column  was  once 
more  on  the  move,  that  Oghi  came  back  —  with  his 
tongue  hanging  out;  his  tail  between  his  legs;  evi 
dently  disgusted  and  thoroughly  fagged. 

Arriving  at  what  is  now  called  Cold  Springs,  the 
party  began  the  ascent  of  the  Chowchilla  Moun 
tains.  Trees  begin  here  —  Sequoia  gigantea, —  of 
world-wide  fame,  but  their  habits  were  not  new  to 
the  men  of  this  expedition. 

Long  before  there  were  written  words  to  express 
the  ideas  of  man,  the  forest  has  furnished  symbols 
of  the  various  stages  of  human  existence.  The  pli 
ancy  of  youth,  the  exuberant  strength  of  maturity, 


56  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  decay  of  age,  have  suggested  eloquent  parallels 
between  man  and  the  tree. 

In  contemplating  the  monarchs  of  the  woods  the 
greatest  poets  and  the  denizens  of  the  untracked  for 
ests  have  risen  together  to  the  same  heights  of 
imagery  and  the  same  tokens  of  emotion  and  senti 
ment. 

Who  can  resist  the  silence,  the  whispering,  the 
soughing,  the  writhing,  the  twisting  and  groaning  of 
a  pine  tree,  from  the  first  flicker  of  a  needle  until 
the  whole  growth  is  in  a  Titanic  struggle  with  the 
vagrant  wind.  The  onset  tests  the  strength  of  root, 
bole,  branch  and  tendril  to  their  utmost,  then  sud 
denly  departs,  leaving  each  needle  erect  and  still  as 
if  listening  to  the  music  of  the  stars. 

In  all  ages,  and  among  all  people,  certain  groves 
have  been  held  sacred.  The  tree-alphabet  of  the 
Chinese,  the  curling  roofs  of  the  truncated  pagodas, 
the  numerous  legends  of  the  tree  and  vine,  symboliz 
ing  life,  are  universal  testimonials  of  this  ancient 
veneration. 

The  trees  giving  shelter  to  Yermah  defied  the  Ice 
Age  and  escaped  destruction  in  the  flood.  There 
are  giants  in  Mariposa  Grove  to-day  contempora 
neous  with  the  Star  of  Bethlehem  and  the  departing 
grandeur  of  Egypt.  The  green  spires  of  this  living 
forest,  three  hundred  feet  high,  filter  the  air  through 
innumerable  branches,  making  one  shiver  at  their 
mysterious  whistle,  like  the  rustling  silk  robes  of  an 
unseen  company. 

The  mystic  and  appalling  are  there  as  well.  How 
often  in  active  life  the  specter  stands  among  men  and 
trees ! 

The  very  strength  gained  by  such  close  lifting  of 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  57 

fibers  during  decades  of  existence  will  not  permit 
these  giants  to  seek  rest  prone  upon  the  welcoming 
breast  of  Mother  Earth.  Still  must  they  stand, 
bleached  by  sun,  beaten  by  rain,  and  buffeted  by 
winds,  leading  a  spectral  existence  when  remains  of 
other  members  of  the  forest  have  silently  sunk  to 
rest,  and  are  no  longer  distinguishable  in  substance 
from  the  very  soil  from  which  they  sprung. 

For  a  century  or  so  there  is  a  struggle  among  the 
children  of  the  fallen  monarch.  At  last  but  few 
remain,  to  become  giants  in  their  turn  —  set  on  the 
rim  of  the  pit  formed  by  the  decaying  roots  of  their 
ancient  ancestor.  Rings  of  this  kind  can  still  be 
found,  showing  the  broken  roots  projecting  like  the 
staves  of  a  barrel,  overgrown  with  ferns  and  wild 
oxalis,  or  filled  to  the  brim  with  fresh  spicy  red 
wood  sprouts. 

No  one  who  visits  the  Yo-Semite  to-day,  can  im 
agine  the  abundance  in  early  times  of  wild  flowers 
and  luxuriant  grasses  reaching  up  to  the  saddle- 
girths,  or  the  almost  total  absence  of  undergrowth 
and  brush  in  the  groves,  thus  affording  clear,  open 
views  from  either  side.  The  valley  lies  nearly  in 
the  center  of  the  State,  north  and  south,  midway 
between  the  east  and  west  bases  of  the  Sierras. 


Not  a  sound  broke  the  impressive  stillness  as  Yer- 
mah  caught  his  first  grand  view  from  Inspiration 
Point,  save  occasional  chirps  and  songs  of  birds,  or 
the  low,  distant  sigh  of  waterfalls  in  the  vertical- 
walled  chasm  below.  Here  and  there  was  a  dark 
yellow  pine  rooted  in  the  crevice,  and  clinging  tena 
ciously  to  its  dizzy  elevation.  The  wind  swept 


58 


these  trees  to  and  fro,  and  there  was  a  faint,  plain 
tive  murmur  in  their  leaves  as  of  pain. 

Yermah  did  not  notice  that  coveys  of  grouse  beat 
the  air  with  their  wings  in  clumsy  and  obstinate 
flight,  nor  did  he  see  that  deer  sprang  up  here  and 
there,  making  for  the  undergrowth,  lying  in  an  oppo 
site  direction.  He  reined  his  horse  sharply  out  of 
the  green  forest  and  stood  upon  a  high  jutting  rock 
overlooking  a  rolling,  uplifting  sea  of  granite  moun 
tains  of  a  beautiful  pearl-gray.  The  colors  were 
cold  in  effect  —  all  the  character  being  given  by  the 
vertical  parallel  lines  of  gray,  brown,  and  black 
which  stripe  a  portion  of  the  walls. 

The  sun  winked  at  them  from  behind  the  pine- 
trees  on  the  top  of  the  hills,  and  threw  shimmering 
lances  among  the  cliffs  and  crags,  burnishing  up  their 
edges.  Its  rosy  tints  etched  furrows  on  the  moun 
tain's  face,  seeming  to  take  pride  in  bringing  out 
strongly  the  wrinkles  which  the  master  of  the  hour 
glass  and  scythe  had  been  busily  engaged  upon  for 
so  many  thousand  years.1 

The  first  impressive  thought  was  that  the  granite 
ledges  were  standing  pale  and  dumb  before  their 
Creator!  The  towers,  the  domes,  the  spires,  the 
battlements,  the  arches,  the  white  columns  of  solid 
granite  surging  up  into  the  air  came  to  everlasting 
anchor!  The  silence  seemed  to  quiver  with  sound, 
just  as  the  warm  air  shimmered  without  stir  all  along 
the  rocky  outlines.  The  scene  conveys  to  the  soul 
of  man  through  the  eye  what  might  the  orchestra  of 
heaven  through  the  ear,  were  peals  of  thunder  com 
passed  into  harmonious  notes  of  music.  As  the 
king  of  day  rode  farther  out,  he  gently  touched  the 

1  J.  M.  Hutchings  in  "  The  High  Sierras." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  59 

falls  of  Upper  Yo-Semite,  transforming  a  downpour 
of  crystals  into  tears  of  liquid  silver,  which  the 
winds  whirled  into  fantastic  wraiths  against  the 
frowning  cliffs. 

All  that  was  mortal  in  the  visitor  swept  back;  all 
that  was  immortal  surged  to  the  front,  and  bowed 
down  in  awe. 

"  Here  speaks  the  voice  of  God;  and  here  His 
power  is  manifest." 

It  was  Akaza's  voice  that  broke  the  silence. 

"  Hail !  smiling  morn  that  tips  these  hilltops  with 
alchemic  gold!  Teach  us  the  secret  of  thy  magic." 

Again  it  was  Akaza's  words. 

"  Here  we  have  visual  evidence  of  the  power  and 
glory  of  the  Supreme  Ruler.  The  majesty  of  His 
handiwork  is  in  that  testimony  of  rocks." 

A  softening  haze  hung  over  the  valley,  and  the 
clouds  partly  dimmed  the  higher  cliffs  and  moun 
tains.  Obscurity  of  vision  increased  the  reverential 
mood  of  the  party.  A  peculiarly  exalted  sensation 
seemed  to  fill  their  minds,  and  their  eyes  swam  with 
fellowly  drops  of  emotion,  though  their  tongues  re 
fused  their  office.  By  common  impulse  they  pushed 
forward,  and  coming  down  back  of  Cathedral 
Rocks,  found  themselves  at  nightfall  near  the  val 
ley's  mouth,  with  El  Capitan  on  the  left  and  Bridal 
Veil  Falls  on  the  right. 

On  the  plains  of  the  San  Joaquin,  sixty  miles  below, 
El  Capitan  had  been  first  sighted,  and  now  they 
gazed  curiously  at  its  bare,  smooth  sides,  entirely 
destitute  of  vegetation,  towering  above  their  heads 
fully  three  thousand  feet  —  a  solid  mass  of  granite, 
set  squarely  out  into  the  valley,  as  if  meaning  to  bar 
their  passage. 


60  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Here  they  were  met  by  a  delegation  of  Monbas 
accompanied  by  their  own  runners.  After  listening 
to  an  address  of  welcome,  they  were  invited  to  meet 
the  high-priestess,  Keroecia,  at  Mirror  Lake,  higher 
up  the  valley. 

"  This  glorious  sun  gives  light  to  the  ceremony  of 
purification  by  fire,  demanding  the  presence  of  all  our 
people,  else  had  they  been  here  to  give  welcome  to 
our  friends.  We  are  bidden  to  serve  thee  in  the 
name  of  the  high-priestess,  and  make  familiar  the 
grandeur  of  this  noble  temple,"  said  Ben  Hu  Barabe, 
the  Civil  Chief. 

"  Accept  our  humble  thanks  and  faithful  obedi 
ence,"  responded  Yermah. 

"  May  the  warmth  and  light  flooding  us  genially 
be  an  augury  of  felicitous  days  to  come,"  said 
Orondo. 

"  May  our  inmost  thoughts  be  in  harmony  with 
Divine  Will,"  added  Akaza,  while  Setos  called  at 
tention  to  a  chucah,  a  curious  basket-like  structure, 
suspended  from  a  tree  near  where  he  stood.  Upon 
examination,  it  was  found  to  contain  a  parchment 
scroll  filled  with  a  detailed  report  of  the  runners' 
journey  and  reception. 

"  The  Monbas  will  remain  only  long  enough  to 
ascertain  and  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  Azes, 
after  the  ceremonies  now  in  progress  cease,"  con 
tinued  Ben  Hu  Barabe.  "  The  emissary,  Eko 
Tanga,  comes  on  mischief  bent,  and  we  must  be 
ready  to  meet  him." 

The  determined  tone  and  angry  scowl  indicated 
the  sentiments  of  the  speaker. 

"  When  once  outside  these  sacred  precincts,  we 


THE  STORY  .OF  A  LOST  RACE  61 

have  matters  of  moment  to  discuss  with  thy  leaders," 
said  Yermah. 

"  We  are  pledged  to  the  leadership  of  the  high- 
priestess,  and  humbly  await  her  pleasure.  She  will 
hear  thee  fully,"  was  the  response  made  by  the  young 
warrior. 

There  was  something  in  his  loyal  speech  which 
impressed  Yermah  greatly.  He  looked  at  him  with 
an  eye  of  favor,  and  asked  him  to  show  the  way  up 
the  valley. 

Rahula  and  Ildiko,  refreshed  by  a  night's  rest, 
accompanied  by  Orondo  and  Setos,  recrossed  the 
valley  to  view  Bridal  Veil  Falls.  The  women  were 
in  raptures  at  the  sight  of  the  great  falls,  and  in 
sisted  that  their  palanquins  should  be  lowered  fre 
quently,  to  enable  them  to  examine  the  graceful  un 
dulating  sheets  of  spray.  It  fell  in  gauze-like  folds, 
expanding,  contracting  and  glittering  in  the  sunlight 
like  a  veil  of  diamonds.  Then  changing  into  one 
vast  and  many-colored  cloud,  it  threw  its  mystic 
drapery  over  the  falling  torrent,  as  if  to  shroud  its 
unspeakable  beauty. 

Down  the  water  leaps  in  one  unbroken  chain  to 
an  immense  bowlder-formed  cauldron  below,  where 
it  boils  and  surges  furiously,  throwing  up  volumes  of 
spray,  while  the  sun  haloes  the  abyss  with  two  or 
more  gorgeous  rainbows.  The  swaying  from  side 
to  side  under  the  varying  pressure  of  the  wind,  and 
the  jarring  roar  of  the  water,  thrilled  and  hushed 
the  beholders  into  silent,  spellbound  admiration. 

Yermah  followed  the  north  wall  on  past  the  Three 
Brothers  which  rise  in  steps,  one  behind  the  other, 
with  their  heads  turned  in  the  same  direction. 


62  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  lofty  columnar  rock  called  Washintgon  Tower 
has  diamond-like  cascades,  which  tumble  down  the 
sides  of  the  Royal  Arches  more  than  two  thousand 
feet.  These  wing-like  spans  form  a  sort  of  lion's 
head,  not  unlike  the  winged  lions  of  Nineveh. 

With  the  column  which  forms  an  angle  to  Teneya 
Canon,  they  seem  intended  for  a  base  of  adequate 
magnitude  to  support  the  North  Dome. 

The  mighty  powers  of  Nature,  which  have  wrought 
such  wonders  in  this  region,  cleft  this  tower  in  twain, 
and  disposed  of  the  fragments  in  a  manner  as  mys 
terious  as  it  must  have  been  awful. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  Teneya  Canon  is  Half 
Dome  —  a  perfectly  inaccessible  crest.  From  a  dis 
tance  one  might  fancy  that  the  stone-cutter's  art  had 
been  brought  to  bear  upon  its  perfectly  rounded 
summit.  Upon  closer  inspection  it  is  found  that 
Time  has  been  the  sculptor.  The  ages  have  cut  out 
huge  concentric  layers  of  granite,  and  scattered  them 
about  in  picturesque  confusion. 

Yermah  rode  on  up  the  canon  until  his  ears  caught 
the  notes  of  a  folk-song;  then  he  dismounted  and, 
fastening  Cibolo  to  a  live-oak,  made  his  way  toward 
the  music.  Astonishment  and  delight  transfixed  his 
gaze. 

At  his  feet  lay  the  "  Sleeping  Waters,"  i  em 
bowered  by  trees,  and  environed  on  high  by  the  dome 
already  described.  This  water  course  leaps  from 
crag  to  pool,  until  it  reaches  equilibrium,  and  the  sur 
face  of  the  lake  is  as  motionless  and  smooth  as  a 
mirror.  The  reflected  domes,  peaks  and  trees  are 
seen  on  its  glassy  bosom  in  perfect  outline,  seemingly 

1  Indian  name  for  Mirror  Lake. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  63 

five  hundred  fathoms  down,  in  exact  representation 
of  the  beauties  that  reach  one  mile  into  the  air! 

Yermah  stood  spellbound,  not  so  much  by  this 
stupendous  grandeur  as  by  the  scene  being  enacted  be 
fore  him.  He  was  so  intently  regarding  it  that  he 
scarcely  saw  or  felt  the  shower  of  flint-headed  ar 
rows  which  fell  in  profusion  and  ruffled  the  surface 
of  the  lake. 

His  eyes  were  riveted  on  a  young  woman  who  was 
in  the  act  of  speeding  a  golden  arrow  over  the  heads 
of  three  other  girls  of  nearly  her  own  age,  and  who 
were  putting  off  from  shore  in  a  crescent-shaped  boat, 
which  they  propelled  with  long  silvery  oars.  They 
were  chanting  softly,  and  the  air  was  redolent  with 
the  perfume  of  flowers,  which  completely  filled  the 
boat,  hanging  in  graceful  profusion  from  prow  and 
stern,  in  wreaths  of  all  sizes  and  colors. 

The  boat  moved  like  a  thing  instinct  with  life, 
and  as  it  disappeared  on  the  opposite  side,  Yermah's 
tense  gaze  made  itself  felt  on  its  object.  Keroecia 
moved  uneasily,  and  then  looked  fixedly  into  the 
water  stretched  out  before  her.  She  first  saw  her 
own  image,  then  beside  it  the  ideal  of  her  dreams  — 
a  helmeted  figure,  reflected  full-length  in  the  limpid 
stream. 

His  tunic  was  of  purple  cloth,  confined  at  the 
waist  by  a  wide  striped  silk  sash,  which  tied  over 
the  left  hip  and  hung  in  long,  heavy,  fringed  ends. 
The  short,  full  skirt  was  of  orange  silk,  with  a  wide 
band  of  embroidery  around  the  bottom,  and  under 
neath  were  long,  closely-woven  woolen  leggins  of 
purple.  The  feet  were  protected  by  sandals  with 
jeweled  sides  and  straps  across  the  instep.  From  his 


64.  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

shoulders  hung  a  leopard-skin  cloak,  double-faced,  so 
that  it  was  alike  on  both  sides. 

He  wore  a  square  breastplate  of  stones,  contain 
ing  twelve  jewels,  proclaiming  that  he  was  Master 
of  the  twelve  councilmen,  and  ruled  continuously 
while  the  sun  traveled  through  the  twelve  signs  of 
the  zodiac.  At  his  side  hung  a  burnished  bronze 
sword,  with  a  beautifully  engraved  scabbard,  de 
lineating  a  lion  hunt  from  meet  to  finish. 

At  first  Keroecia  was  fascinated,  then  a  feeling  of 
fear  stole  over  her.  She  made  a  movement  as  if  to 
fly,  but  in  turning  stood  face  to  face  with  Yermah. 
An  inarticulate  sound  died  on  her  lips  as  she  started 
back  amazed  and  fearful.  Her  wide-eyed  vision  and 
strained  attention  searched  the  countenance  of  the 
pale  and  agitated  man,  who  stood  so  near  her  that 
she  felt  the  radiating  warmth  of  his  body.  He  re 
mained  motionless,  but  she  shrank  back,  and  was 
momentarily  rooted  to  the  spot. 

With  a  regal  sweep  of  the  arm,  he  bared  his  head, 
and  with  his  right  hand  made  the  hierophant  sign  of 
command.  He  opened  the  hand,  palm  outward,  the 
first  two  fingers  pointing  upward.  He  bowed  pro 
foundly,  and  carried  the  helmet  hand  to  his  heart 
lightly. 

Keroecia  quickly  comprehending  his  intent  as  well 
as  his  rank  and  station,  courteously  made  the  At- 
lantian  sign  of  submission. 

Yermah  recognized  it  by  a  downward  movement 
of  his  open  right  hand. 

"  Pleasing  in  my  sight,  and  welcome  to  all  the 
Monbas,  is  the  Servitor  of  Aztlan,"  she  said.  "  He 
who  created  the  four  elements  forbid  that  fatigue 
or  discomfort  should  be  thy  portion." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  65 

"  It  were  an  earthy  spirit  which  could  be  mind 
ful  of  the  physical  in  this  magnificent  temple,"  re 
plied  Yermah. 

His  calm,  even  tones  quieted  and  reassured  her 
completely. 

"  Have  none  of  my  fellows  shown  thee  courtesy? 
Thy  exalted  station  and  goodness  of  heart  demand 
much." 

"  Ample  consideration  met  us  at  the  newel-post 
of  this  wondrous  structure.  It  were  a  puny  effort 
indeed  that  would  fail  to  convey  such  welcome  as 
the  season  and  occasion  warrant.  In  harmony  with 
this  spirit,  I  have  stolen  away  from  my  companions 
and  have  sought  audience  direct  with  thee.  If  ill- 
considered  abruptness  gives  rise  to  inharmonious 
thought,  forgive  me.  The  head,  and  not  the  heart, 
is  at  fault." 

"  Offense  were  not  possible  with  this  intent.  And 
I  were  an  unworthy  handmaiden  should  I  harbor  ill 
will  on  this  day,  holiest  of  all  the  year  to  the  Mon- 
bas." 

"  I  stand  athirst  for  knowledge  of  the  sacred  rite 
already  partially  witnessed.  Is  it  lawful  for  an 
alien  to  know  its  import?  " 

"  We  who  find  divinity  in  the  flowers,  the  birds, 
the  sunshine,  the  trees,  the  rocks,  the  streams,  and  the 
hills,  have  no  secrets  apart  from  any  living  thing. 
But  before  thy  special  question,  tell  me  of  thy  com 
rades.  Shall  I  face  them  here?  " 

"  In  this  place,  and  soon.  They  skirted  the 
southern  wall.  The  women  came  in  chairs,  lest 
fatigue  should  render  them  unfit  to  give  heed  to  thy 
many  accomplishments.  Tell  me  the  office  of  the 
three  graces  in  the  flower-laden  boat." 


66  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  All  the  ills  of  my  people  are  consigned  to  those 
flowers.  The  ark  in  the  center  contains  a  symbol  of 
the  all-pervading  essence  of  creation,  and  when  the 
sun  comes  high  enough  to  send  a  vertical  ray  into  this 
ark,  the  flowers  which  have  been  collected  for  the 
past  three  days  will  be  sacrificed  by  fire;  and  then  we 
can  go  hence  happy  and  content,  free  from  evil 
tendency  within  and  without.  Our  faith  is  simple. 
We  try  to  live  in  harmony  with  the  laws  of  Life  and 
Love." 

"  An  artist  who  revels  in  the  beauties  of  creation 
receives  direct  the  thoughts  of  the  Eternal  Father," 
returned  Yermah,  reverently. 

"  A  child  inhaling  the  fragrance  of  a  flower  re 
ceives  in  the  process  of  transmutation  the  thoughts 
of  the  Creator." 

"  Without  the  intervention  of  planetary  in 
fluence?" 

"  The  open  flower,  with  its  sun-rayed  form,  is  to 
vegetation  what  the  sun  is  to  the  planets,  and  as 
man  is  to  animal  life.  Flowers  crown  Nature's 
dominions." 

"  The  soul  of  man  crowns  all  animate  things," 
persisted  Yermah. 

"  When  he  crushes  a  beetle  he  destroys  the  life 
of  what  may  some  day  be  his  brother,"  she  an 
swered,  with  a  smile. 

"  Dost  thou  believe  in  transmigration?  I  am 
agreed  with  thee  that  life  is  a  vibration  of  Divine 
Will,  moving  in  a  spiral,  but  physical  man  is  the 
lowest  rung  contacted  by  the  ego." 

"  Oh,  say  not  so !  Is  not  the  ego  a  ray  of  the 
creative  energy  itself?  Thinkest  thou  the  human 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  67 

family  the  only  emanation  of  Divinity  worthy  to 
contact  its  Creator?  " 

"  Yes,"  he  answered;  "  and  only  then  by  aspiring 
to  a  spiritual  plane." 

"  How  many  planes  dost  thou  allot  to  man?  " 

"  Three  —  the  physical,  the  mental  and  the  spirit 
ual.  A  novice  must  perform  the  nine  labors  in  order 
to  achieve  perfection.  Each  plane  is  threefold,  like 
the  alchemical  sun,  whose  prototype  blesses  us  with 
its  preserving  rays.  Unfold  to  me  the  principles  of 
thy  system." 

"  The  first  degree  is  that  of  the  crystallized 
mineral,  typifying  death.  The  rocks  and  stones  are 
of  both  sexes.  Their  sympathies  and  antipathies 
constitute  their  laws  of  natural  selection  determined 
by  the  vegetation  produced  from  their  soil.  The 
second  degree  pertains  to  the  subjective  spaces  of 
the  mineral  world  —  the  tiny  races  within  the 
higher  round  of  that  zone.  Each  life-atom  is  busy 
at  its  own  appointed  task,  happy  beyond  conception 
in  its  lowly  spiritual  state.  The  third  degree  is  the 
vegetable  kingdom.  The  leaves  are  so  placed  that 
a  line  wound  around  the  stem  of  a  plant,  and  touch 
ing  the  petiole  of  each  leaf  would  be  a  spiral. 
Where  the  leaves  are  in  two  rows,  it  is  one-third  the 
circumference,  and  so  on  in  successive  trines." 

"  No  one  could  be  more  loyal  than  I  to  the  great 
family  of  endogens,"  said  Yermah.  "  They  all  go 
by  threes,  and  are  correlated  to  the  Trinity.  We 
make  the  lily  the  type  of  purity;  the  palm,  the  type 
of  perfect  life,  which  is  service.  The  grains  give  the 
staff  of  life;  the  grasses  cover  the  earth,  and  feed 
our  animals.  The  onion  not  only  contains  the  im- 


68  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

mortal  elixir,  but  in  its  circles  represents  the  growth 
of  the  universe,  and  the  orbits  of  the  planetary 
system." 

"  The  exogens,"  said  Keroecia,  "  are  closer  to  our 
own  lives.  The  rose  gains  in  beauty  as  it  loses  its 
power  of  reproduction,  and  the  flower  which  carpets 
our  hillsides  with  patches  of  gold  drops  the  calyx 
when  it  arrives  at  perfection.  It  lives  with  the  sun 
—  opening  and  closing  with  his  coming  and  going, 
and  is  so  delicate  that  we  make  it  the  symbol  of  the 
soul. 

"  In  the  fourth  degree  are  the  flower  nymphs,  dis 
porting  themselves  like  butterflies  in  the  luminous 
ether  of  their  round.  Some  bear  resemblance  to 
beautiful  girls,  but  are  bright  green,  with  large  heads 
and  small  bodies.  In  the  full  scale  they  show  all  the 
colors  of  the  rainbow.  The  fifth  degree  is  the  animal 
kingdom;  the  sixth  is  semi-human;  the  seventh  is  man. 
Love  is  the  only  condition  of  creation  —  that  love 
which  is  perfect  equilibrium  between  thyself  and  the 


universe." 


Neither  spoke  for  several  moments ;  then  Yermah 
said,  with  a  sigh  of  contentment :  "  This  is  a  veri 
table  Temple  of  Love." 

"  In  very  truth  it  is,"  she  returned;  "  and  this  is 
the  season  of  renewal.  It  is  the  breeding-time  of 
flowers  and  of  the  feathered  tribes.  Look  here  I  " 

She  drew  back  a  branch  of  eglantine,  heavy  with 
bloom,  and  nestled  cozily  in  the  fork  of  the  parent 
stem  was  a  tiny  grayish-white  mass  of  hair,  fashioned 
into  a  nest  by  a  gold-throated  humming-bird.  The 
mate  industriously  sipped  honey  from  blossom  to 
blossom,  while  the  watcher  on  the  nest  put  up  its 
long,  tube-like  bill,  waiting  to  be  fed. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  69 

The  birds  twittered  conjugal  confidences  unmind 
ful  of  prying  eyes.  Disturbed  at  last  by  the  voices, 
both  balanced  in  air,  leaving  exposed  to  view  two  lit 
tle  spotted  eggs,  not  larger  than  fine  shot.  They 
darted  about  in  evident  distress,  keeping  up  a  con 
stant  humming  with  their  gauzy  wings. 

The  man  and  woman  paused  but  a  second,  and 
then  passed  on. 

The  Monbas  believed  in  five  sub-human  kingdoms, 
peopled  by  entities.  The  mineral  kingdom  was 
represented  by  gnomes;  the  vegetable  kingdom,  by 
sylphs;  the  reptile,  by  fire  or  salamanders;  water, 
by  undines  and  fishes.  Keroecia's  followers  were  the 
forerunners  of  the  ancient  Druids  and  the  modern 
gypsies. 

The  aim  of  all  religions  is  to  harmonize  man  with 
the  laws  which  govern  the  universe.  The  Monbas 
did  this  by  metempsychosis  of  the  sub-human  ele 
ments.  They  solved  the  great  problem  of  absorbing 
into  the  astral  system  the  pure  psychic  elements 
about  them,  and  reached  divinity  by  this  process.  It 
is  for  this  reason  that  the  gypsies  never  mingle  with 
other  civilizations.  They  go  to  nature  direct  for 
their  wisdom,  and  keep  away  from  cities  for  fear  of 
losing  their  psychic  powers. 

On  Good  Friday,  the  gypsies  still  have  their 
patriarch  carry  an  ark  or  basket,  in  the  bottom  of 
which  has  been  placed  a  Saint  Andrews  cross.  Each 
member  of  the  tribe  lays  a  flower  on  the  cross  to 
abjure  and  protect  him  against  evil  influences  —  thus 
perpetuating  the  idea  of  the  immaculate  conception. 
The  gypsies  believe  that  the  flowers  give  off  metemp 
sychosis  and  absorb  disease. 

Orondo,  Setos,  Rahula  and  Ildiko  with  a  retinue 


70  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

of  tamanes,  a  Monbas  escort,  and  some  burros  laden 
with  stout  willow  baskets  and  bags,  skirted  the  south 
ern  side  of  the  valley  in  passing  Cathedral  Rock  and 
Spires. 

There  were  splendid  pitch-pine  trees  massed  in  the 
foreground,  which  being  duplicated  on  the  top  of 
the  cliffs,  looked  like  a  mere  fringe  of  green  thrown 
into  relief  against  fleecy  white  clouds  hurrying  across 
the  turquoise  sky  in  pursuit  of  some  fleeting  phantom 
of  that  eerie  region. 

The  travelers  found  it  warm  work  to  cross  the 
Merced  River,  near  by;  but  the  cool  sea-breezes 
began  to  blow  up  from  the  Golden  Gate  —  for  they 
were  almost  opposite,  in  a  direct  line  from  Tlamco. 
In  pushing  on  to  Mirror  Lake,  they  followed  the  same 
path  taken  by  Yermah.  As  they  passed  Indian 
Canon,  they  looked  up  the  deep  gorge  to  the  east 
ward  and  saw  that  here  was  the  entrance  and  exit 
used  by  the  Monbas. 

As  they  neared  the  lake,  they  looked  off  in  the  dis 
tance  to  where  Cloud's  Rest  connects  with  the  High 
Sierra  this  chain  of  matchless  pearls  from  the  mouth 
of .  Nature.  Around  the  top  of  this  extremely 
elevated,  steep,  barren  ridge  hover  continuously  a 
bevy  of  cottony  clouds,  while  a  lace-like  scarf  of  fog 
softens  the  hard,  unyielding  lines,  and  makes  them 
tempt  the  soul  of  man  to  feats  of  the  greatest  dar 
ing. 

Presently  was  seen  a  thin,  vapory  line  of  smoke 
issuing  from  the  direction  in  which  the  boat  had  dis 
appeared.  Instantly  the  roads  seemed  alive  with 
people,  coming  from  all  directions,  and  making  the 
welkin  ring  with  melodious  sound.  There  were  men, 
women  and  children,  gay  in  holiday  attire,  singing 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  71 

and  gesticulating  in  the  very  ecstasy  of  joy.  They 
crowded  the  banks  of  the  lake  and  waited  expectantly. 

At  length  a  slender  silver  arrow  flew  up  from  the 
smoke  clouds;  then,  another;  and  again,  a  third. 
This  was  followed  by  a  deafening  blast  of  trumpets, 
drums,  cymbals,  tambourines,  pipes,  and  ear-splitting 
whistles,  as  the  priestesses  re-embarked  and  slowly 
approached.  The  first  splash  of  the  silvery  oars  was 
answered  by  a  shout  of  triumph  from  the  opposite 
shore,  followed  by  a  song,  in  which  three  voices 
joined  with  equal  zest. 

Then  the  crowd  fell  back,  making  room  for 
Keroecia  and  the  tall,  fair  stranger.  He  was  intent 
and  alert;  she,  smilingly  gracious.  As  the  boat 
anchored,  she  raised  her  hand  in  blessing,  for  which 
Yermah  reverently  uncovered. 

The  priestess  stepped  forward  to  receive  an  urn 
delicate  and  fragile  as  the  ashes  of  roses  it  con 
tained,  when  a  treacherous  pebble  turned  her  ankle, 
and  she  would  have  fallen  had  not  Yermah  caught 
her  by  the  arm  in  time  to  prevent  a  painful  strain 
upon  the  supporting  muscles  and  tendons.  It  was  the 
unstudied  act  of  a  man  of  ready  tact  and  faultless 
breeding. 

The  hillsides  and  rock  walls  rumbled  and  echoed 
the  burst  of  cheering  which  greeted  this  feat.  Again 
he  uncovered  and  stood  in  a  respectful  attitude  until 
the  three  nimble-footed  young  women  were  on  shore. 
They,  catching  the  infection,  shared  in  the  general 
excitement.  By  a  common  impulse  they  arranged 
themselves  in  line,  and  stood  with  Yermah  and 
Keroecia,  bowing  acknowledgments  and  participating 
in  dumb  show  with  the  spontaneous  outpouring  of 
good  will. 


72  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  Alcyesta,  Suravia,  Mineola,  accept  the  homage 
offered  by  Yermah,  the  Dorado,  of  Aztlan,  lately  ar 
rived  from  Tlamco,"  said  Keroecia.  "  These  are  my 
trusted  hand-maidens.  Receive  service  from  them  as 
from  mine  own  hands." 

"  Such  grace  and  fair  fellowship  bankrupts  the  of 
fices  of  speech.  Alone,  I  am  powerless  to  make 
adequate  return ;  but  here  I  have  allies  who  will  amply 
requite  thee,"  saying  which  he  turned  to  make  room 
for  his  companions,  who  had  approached  in  the 
general  confusion  unobserved  by  the  company. 
Setos  and  Orondo  uncovered  and  waited  back  of  their 
countrymen. 

The  gnomes,  salamanders,  sylphs,  and  undines  of 
fairyland,  peeping  out  from  each  leaf  and  fragrant 
bloom,  never  beheld  a  lovelier  vision  than  that  of 
Keroecia  and  Ildiko,  as  they  stood  facing  each  other. 

Keroscia's  long,  wavy  bronze-red  hair  was  con 
fined  by  a  jeweled  band,  with  three  white  ostrich  tips 
in  the  center.  She  was  gowned  in  simple  white,  long 
and  flowing.  Around  her  neck  were  seven  strands 
of  pearls  fastened  to  a  medallion  composed  of  ruby, 
topaz,  emerald,  sapphire,  amber,  amethyst  and  tur 
quoise.  Encircling  her  slender  waist  was  an 
enameled  and  jeweled  girdle.  The  loose  sleeves  fell 
back  from  exquisitely  shaped  arms,  ornamented  with 
bracelets,  while  numerous  rings  adorned  her  taper 
fingers. 

In  her  big  Oriental  eyes,  shaded  with  long  lashes, 
was  a  glint  of  the  bronze  which  the  sun  brought  out 
in  her  hair.  A  ripened  peach  is  the  only  fitting  com 
parison  for  her  cheeks,  and  her  tiny,  even  teeth 
glistened  white  between  the  perfectly  formed  and 
curved  lips  which  in  parting  revealed  them. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  73 

Ildiko,  taller,  and  more  slight,  was  a  sharp  con 
trast,  her  fuzzy  white  hair,  eye-brows,  and  lashes 
contrasting  with  her  shell-pink  skin.  The  pale  blue 
of  her  dress  strengthened  the  color  of  her  eyes,  which 
were  so  well  set  back  that  a  full  interpretation  of 
their  language  baffled  the  observer.  There  were  em 
broideries  and  jeweled  passementeries,  the  rich  ar 
rangement  of  which  showed  the  detail  of  her  toilet. 
A  gauze  head-dress  supporting  a  thin  veil,  which  fell 
well  down  over  her  back,  helped  the  illusion.  She 
skillfully  tried  to  get  full  benefit  of  the  roseate  rays 
reflected  by  an  umbrella  held  over  her  head  by  an 
attendant. 

Yermah  took  her  hand  and  placed  it  in  Keroecia's 
outstretched  palm,  and  then  put  both  his  own  over 
them  protectingly. 

"  May  such  love  as  sisters  bear  each  other  bind 
thee." 

Then  bringing  Rahula  forward,  he  presented  her. 
A  dark-red  head-band,  glistening  with  jetted  em 
broidery  and  drooping  ear  ornaments  enhanced  the 
luster  of  her  iron-gray  hair,  and  somewhat  softened 
the  expression  of  her  wrinkled  face.  Not  a  facet 
of  the  jet  sparkled  brighter  than  her  beady,  black 
eyes,  which  were  never  quite  in  accord  with  her  thin 
smiling  lips. 

Simple  gold  bands  without  ornament  confined  the 
locks  of  Alcyesta,  Suravia,  and  Mineola,  that  of  the 
first  and  last  being  dark  and  abundant,  while 
Suravia's  hair  was  like  spun  gold  in  texture  and  color. 
These  bands  did  not  go  all  the  way  around  the  head, 
but  terminated  over  each  ear  in  medallions,  jeweled 
and  enameled  in  quaint  design.  Alcyesta  wore  pale 
yellow;  Suravia,  lavender;  and  Mineola,  pink.  A 


bright  plaid  sash  was  tied  about  each  waist,  and  fell 
to  the  hem  in  the  back.  Sandals  with  pointed  toes, 
reaching  well  over  the  instep,  protected  the  feet. 

The  other  women  wore  dresses  of  cotton  cloth 
made  like  chemises.  These  were  of  four  colors,  and 
worn  one  over  the  other.  The  edges  were  variously 
ornamented,  some  with  figures,  others  again  with  em 
broidery  or  saw-teeth  appliques  of  a  different  shade. 
Necklaces  of  beads,  jeweled  belts,  earrings,  bracelets 
and  sandals  were  common  to  them  all.  Some  wore 
crowns  or  other  fanciful  head-covering  with  bright 
feather  ornaments,  while  others  braided  their  hair  in 
two  loose  plaits,  and  covered  their  heads  with  an  in 
describably  fine-woven  basket,  highly  ornate,  which 
came  to  a  point  at  the  top. 

The  Highlander  of  to-day  would  appreciate  and 
admire  the  markings  of  the  cloth  worn  by  these  sturdy 
mountaineers.  For  the  leaders,  there  were  plaids  of 
seven  colors;  for  the  next  in  rank,  five  colors;  for 
governors  of  fortresses,  four  colors;  for  captains, 
three  colors;  for  warriors,  two  colors;  for  the  com 
mon  people,  one  color. 

The  warriors  carried  shields  of  flexible  bamboo 
canes  bound  firmly  together,  and  covered  with  raw 
hide.  These  were  ornamented  with  porcupine  quills, 
tortoise-shell,  mother-of-pearl,  and  ivory,  inlaid  and 
skillfully  etched  with  mineral  dyes,  the  rank  of  the 
wearer  being  cleverly  revealed  in  this  manner.  The 
shields  were  invariably  circular  and  convex  in  form. 
Worn  next  to  the  body,  were  plain  white  garments 
of  coarse  texture,  and  on  their  heads  were  high 
conical  hats,  very  like  the  Astrakhan  caps  of  to-day. 
Leggins  much  wrinkled  and  heavy  sole-leather 
sandals  completed  their  costume. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  75 

In  the  solemn  hush,  four  stalwart  warriors  of  the 
Monbas  stepped  forward  and  knelt  upon  the  shore, 
grasping  each  other  by  the  inner  fore-arm,  near  the 
elbow.  Keroecia  and  the  three  priestesses  carefully 
lifted  the  ark  from  the  boat  and  placed  it  in  the  recep 
tacle  made  by  the  inter-locked  arms. 

Taking  a  few  of  the  ashes  left  in  the  urn, 
Keroecia  mixed  them  with  salt,  which  she  stirred  with 
an  aspergillus  made  of  medical  herbs  tied  to  a  hazel 
stick  on  which  the  four  spirits  were  carved.  The  salt 
and  incense  ashes  were  consecrated  separately  be 
fore  using.  She  then  took  the  four  alchemical  ele 
ments,  salt,  mercury,  sulphur  and  nitrogen,  and 
sprinkled  them  over  the  man  holding  a  chalice  repre 
senting  water;  an  eagle,  with  a  nimbus  around  its 
head  representing  air;  a  tree  of  life,  representing  fire; 
and  the  sword  of  Mithra,  who  annually  immolates 
the  sacred  bull.  These  correspond  to  mind,  matter, 
motion  and  rest. 

The  special  kingdom  of  the  gnomes  is  in  the  north; 
that  of  the  salamanders,  in  the  south;  that  of  the 
sylphs,  in  the  east;  and  that  of  the  undines,  in  the 
west.  They  influence  the  four  temperaments  of  man. 
The  gnomes,  the  melancholic;  the  salamanders,  the 
sanguine;  the  undines,  the  phlegmatic;  the  sylphs, 
the  bilious.  The  Monbas  abjured  them  by  breathing, 
sprinkling,  burning  of  perfumes,  and  by  tracing  a 
pentagram  on  the  ground. 

Keroecia  holding  a  pentacle  in  one  hand,  and  tak 
ing  in  turn  a  sword,  a  rod,  and  a  cup,  faced  the  lake 
and  said: 

"  Angel  with  the  blind  eyes,  obey  me,  or  pass  away 
from  the  holy  water !  Work,  winged  bull,  or  return 
to  earth,  if  thou  wouldst  not  be  pricked  by  this 


76  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

sword!  Fettered  eagle,  obey  this  sign,  or  retire  be 
fore  my  wrath  I  Writhing  serpent,  crawl  at  my  feet, 
or  be  tortured  by  the  sacred  fire,  and  evaporate  with 
the  perfumes  I  am  burning !  Water,  return  to  water ; 
fire,  burn ;  air,  circulate ;  earth,  return  to  earth  —  by 
the  power  of  the  pentagram,  which  is  the  morning 
star,  and  in  the  name  of  the  tetragram,  which  is  writ 
ten  in  the  center  of  the  cross  of  light.  Auma !  " 

In  the  Egyptian  and  Jewish  religions,  three  vestal 
virgins  guard  the  ark,  typical  of  the  Immaculate  con 
ception  —  in  that  the  ark  contains  an  aerolite,  or 
Heaven-born  stone.  In  Greek  mythology,  the  three 
graces  guard  the  sacred  urn.  The  name  Suravia 
signified  the  sun-way,  or  river  of  light;  Alcyesta,  the 
ark,  chest,  or  urn  floating  on  the  celestial  river; 
while  Mineola,  personated  the  divine  soul-mind 
liberated  in  the  ark. 

The  flint-headed  arrow  is  a  phallic  symbol  of 
thought,  and  when  the  Monbas  shot  arrows  over 
water  it  was  to  destroy  their  unseen  enemies ;  the  lake, 
to  them,  representing  mind.  The  passage  of  the  sun 
out  of  the  watery  sign  in  the  Spring  equinox  was  the 
festival  Keroecia  and  her  people  were  celebrating. 


CHAPTER  SIX 

THE    AGREEMENT    TO    ARBITRATE    THEIR    SEVERAL 
DIFFERENCES 

IT  was  Jupiter's  Day  (Thursday),  and  Akaza 
wore  a  scarlet  robe  of  silk,  with  embroidered 
bands,  having  the  twelve  signs  of  the  zodiac 
worked  out  in  neutral  tones  of  brown  and  green. 
On  his  head  was  a  scarlet  liberty-cap  with  the  sign 
of  Jupiter  on  the  forehead  and  his  long  hair  and 
beard  had  been  curled  into  nine  parts,  typical  of  the 
nine  phases  of  initiation  which  he  had  passed.  He 
wore  a  sapphire  ring  on  the  middle  finger  of  his  right 
hand,  and  his  breastplate  was  of  emeralds,  set  in 
silver. 

With  a  single  tamane  and  a  guide,  Akaza  followed 
the  course  of  the  Merced  River  and  reveled  in  the 
luxuriant  vegetation  which  changes  in  character  and 
development  according  to  locality. 

Near  the  falls  were  dense  growths  of  alder,  wil 
low  and  spruce,  and  in  the  upper  valley  were  sugar- 
pine  and  yellow  and  bastard  cedar  in  abundance. 

The  Balm  of  Gilead,  poplar  and  black  oak 
haunted  the  swampy  places  where  snowy  pond-lilies 
rode  in  imperious  fashion  over  the  moisture.  There 
was  a  wilderness  of  sparkling  mosses  thriving  in  the 
spray  of  waterfall  and  cascade. 

Back  in  cool,  shady  greeneries,  were  an  infinite 
variety  of  ferns,  ranging  from  tall  bracken  to  feathery 

77 


78  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

maidenhair  clinging  to  the  eerie  crevices  high  up  on 
the  sky  line. 

Maple,  laurel,  and  manzanita  with  dainty  bell- 
shaped  blossoms  colored  like  a  baby's  palm,  had  as 
companion  another  member  of  the  buck-thorn  family, 
the  white  lilac.  And  these  seemed  intent  upon  con 
cealing  the  basis  of  the  different  falls.  Here,  also, 
was  the  madrono,  "  the  harlequin  of  the  woods,"  in 
buff  and  red  bark,  in  a  chronic  state  of  dishabille. 
But  who  would  find  fault  with  the  toilet  process  which 
changes  the  older,  darker  bark  for  the  delicate 
cream-colored  covering  which  lies  underneath?  . 

A  noisy,  chattering  bluejay,  the  scandal-monger  of 
the  bird  family,  protested  vigorously  against  the 
incursion  of  this  venerable  old  man.  Vociferous  and 
argumentative,  the  feathered  opponent  grew  tired  of 
useless  opposition,  and,  as  a  practical  joke,  concealed 
itself  in  the  clump  of  leaves  and  screamed  like  a  hawk 
near  where  a  flock  of  small  birds  were  enjoying  them 
selves  in  their  own  fashion. 

The  songsters  recovered  from  their  fright  while 
the  rascal  was  giving  vent  to  a  cackle  which  sounded 
like  a  derisive  laugh,  and  then  they  combined  forces 
to  drive  the  intruder  out  of  the  neighborhood.  The 
bluejay  proved  to  be  as  full  of  fight  as  of  mischief, 
but  a  severe  conflict  produced  an  appreciable  amend 
ment  of  manners. 

Even  the  red-headed  wood-pecker  ceased  hammer 
ing  holes  in  the  trees  and  stopped  long  enough  to  in 
spect  the  stranger.  It  may  have  been  only  a  trick  of 
the  bluejay's  to  entice  the  worker  away  from  the  tree 
to  allow  a  raid  on  the  store-house  of  acorns.  It  did 
the  pilferer  no  good,  however;  for  the  carpenter-bird 
never  makes  a  mistake  in  selecting  acorns  to  fit  the 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  79 

holes  made  for  them.  From  the  beginning  of  time 
the  bluejay  has  never  been  able  to  appreciate  this 
fact. 

The  chip-munks,  the  grasshoppers  and  the  squir 
rels  peeped  and  wondered  from  different  points  of 
vantage,  while  a  mother  partridge  by  fluttering  and 
scurrying  along  the  ground,  sought  to  divert  attention 
from  her  tiny  striped-back  brood  huddled  up  on  one 
foot  under  a  friendly  bunch  of  wild-strawberry  leaves. 

A  pair  of  quail  established  themselves  in  the  screen 
of  a  honey-suckle  vine,  and  the  little  crested  head  of 
the  family  was  feeding  his  small  mate  a  dainty  tid 
bit,  having  coaxed  her  up  into  that  leafy  retreat  to 
discuss  the  viand.  Ring-doves  cooed  lovingly  to  each 
other,  while  the  now  extinct  wild  turkey  sunned  itself 
and  preened  its  bronze  feathers,  perched  high  on  the 
top  of  the  bare  rock  above. 

Up  near  the  snow-line  were  red  patches  of  snow- 
plants,  looking  like  huge  semi-transparent  globules  of 
crystallized  sugar,  having  stem,  bells  and  leaves  all  of 
one  color,  curiously  mingled  and  intertwined. 

Every  inch  of  Akaza's  advance  was  contested  by 
some  flowering  plant.  Sometimes  it  was  the  droop 
ing  boughs  of  the  white  blossoming  dog-wood. 
Again,  it  was  a  rhododendron  bush  stubbornly  block 
ing  the  way.  Or,  perhaps,  it  was  a  shower  of  azalea 
blooms  that  fairly  smothered  him.  The  spice-bush, 
with  its  long,  slender  green  leaves,  and  odd-shape 
wine-colored  flowers,  locked  horns  with  the  tall 
shapely  Shasta  Lily. 

The  gossamer,  glass-like  mountain  mahogany  dis 
puted  honors  with  a  flaring  brown-and-orange  tiger- 
lily,  while  the  pentstemon,  distinctly  blue  at  the  base 
and  pink  at  the  rim  of  its  cup,  coquetted  with  a 


80  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

dainty  butterfly-lily.  "  Like  a  bubble  borne  on  air, 
floats  the  shy  Mariposa  Bell,"  with  its  purplish  white, 
its  faint  tint  of  pink  or  pale  gold,  each  petal  brocaded 
in  soft  shades  of  bronze-brown  or  patched  with 
plush,  as  if  fairy  finger-tips  had  smutched  them  be 
fore  the  paints  were  dry. 

Who  does  not  know  the  yellow  buttercup  which 
faces  the  world  everywhere,  the  red  columbine, 
whose  chandelier  of  scarlet  tongues  makes  light  in 
dark  places,  or  the  well-beloved  larkspur  ? 

Then  purple  thistle,  goldenrods  and  dandelions 
shook  their  heads  vigorously  in  the  refreshing  breeze, 
and  argued  it  out  with  the  grasses  and  ice-plants  lying 
flat  on  the  ground,  where  only  a  muchly  debased 
cactus  bristled  and  threatened  everything  that 
ventured  even  to  look  at  its  forbidden  fruit. 

The  day  was  well  nigh  spent  when  Akaza  ap 
proached  the  camp  near  the  mouth  of  the  Indian 
Canyon.  Yermah  and  Keroecia  advanced  to  meet 
him,  hand  in  hand,  like  happy  children.  Keroecia 
did  not  wait  for  a  formal  presentation  but  came  for 
ward  graciously. 

"  Patriarch  and  hierophant,"  she  said,  "  this  temple 
awaits  thy  ministration.  The  love  and  obedience 
of  my  people  and  myself  are  thine  to  command." 

"  Fair  daughter  of  the  gods,  thou  hast  already 
a  place  in  my  heart,  as  I  perceive  thou  hast  in  the 
affections  of  my  comrades.  Mayst  thou  ever  be  sur 
rounded  by  a  nimbus  of  joy  and  gladness." 

As  Akaza's  lips  lightly  brushed  her  glowing  cheek, 
Yermah  perceived  that  his  vision  was  turned  inward 
and  that  he  prayed  silently. 

Keroecia  turned  toward  her  attendants,  but  with 
her  own  hands  served  Akaza  curds  and  a  gourd  of 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  81 

goat's  milk.  She  also  broke  the  thin  corn  cakes  and 
arranged  some  fruit  temptingly  near  him.  Akaza 
opened  an  oblong  comb  of  wild  honey  and  laid  the 
ripe  figs  around  it.  As  he  poured  thick,  yellow 
cream  over  them,  he  murmured: 

"As  it  was  written!     As  it  was  written!  " 

Concerned  for  him,  Yermah  touched  him  on  the 
shoulder. 

"  Is  it  not  well?  "  he  asked  eagerly. 

When  the  elder  man  saw  the  glow  of  happiness  on 
the  questioning  face,  he  involuntarily  groaned;  but 
he  answered  steadily: 

"  From  the  beginning  all  things  are  ordered  well." 
******* 

The  evening  shadows  grew  apace;  but  before 
darkness  came  on,  Keroecia  prepared  the  pipes, 
which  were  to  be  lighted  as  an  offering  to  fire. 

Igniting  the  first  one,  a  fragile  porcelain  bowl  with 
an  amber  mouthpiece,  she  first  drew  three  puffs  out 
of  the  pipe,  and  then  emptied  the  ashes  on  a  platter 
of  beaten  silver.  Dexterously  replenishing  the  to 
bacco  and  substituting  an  ivory  mouthpiece,  she 
passed  it  to  Yermah.  He  followed  her  example,  and 
replacing  the  ivory  with  tortoise-shell,  handed  the 
pipe  to  Akaza. 

The  priestesses  and  the  remainder  of  the  company 
did  likewise,  always  substituting  one  stick  for  an 
other  until  all  had  smoked  and  each  had  a  souvenir 
which  was  believed  to  bring  good  luck.  The  ashes 
were  placed  in  the  urn  with  the  rose  ashes  collected 
from  the  ark  —  and  the  great  Monbas  festival  was 
over. 

Keroecia  was  not  a  Monbas.  Her  people  were 
known  to  the  Atlantians  as  lans ;  to  the  Persians,  they 


82  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

were  Scythians;  to  the  Medes,  they  were  known  as 
Suani;  to  the  early  Europeans,  they  were  Visigoths, 
alternately  feared  and  admired;  while  by  later  gen 
erations,  they  were  called  Circassians. 

Theirs  was  the  Vinland  of  the  Norsemen  and  their 
empire  extended  over  a  large  part  of  ancient  Persia. 
They  were  old  in  civilization,  before  Nineveh  and 
Babylon.  Theirs  was  the  land  of  Phrasus,  where 
the  Argonauts  sailed  after  the  siege  of  Troy.  At 
that  time,  they  had  outlying  colonies  along  the  Sibe 
rian  and  extreme  northwestern  coast  of  America. 
The  Aleutian  group  of  islands  was  then  an  unbroken 
chain,  with  a  climate  as  mild  as  any  portion  of  the 
temperate  zone. 

Keroecia,  a  pure-blooded  Aryan,  was  the  crown 
princess  of  the  reigning  house  of  Ian,  and  it  was 
after  her  abduction  that  the  famous  fortification 
named  by  the  Greeks,  "  Gates  of  Caucasus,"  was 
built  in  the  Darien  Pass  of  the  Causasus  Mountains 
leading  out  from  Tiflis. 

From  the  beginning  of  history,  patriotism  and 
beauty  have  been  accredited  these  people.  Mithri- 
dates  and  Schamyl  are  the  heroes  of  later  times. 
There  is  a  tragic  pathos  in  the  self-immolation  this 
remnant  of  half  a  million  souls  voluntarily  under 
went  when  they  were  conquered  by  Russia.  After 
this  event,  they  emigrated  in  a  body  and  became 
Turkish  exiles. 

"  Speak  freely,  as  thou  wouldst  to  a  father,"  said 
Akaza  to  Keroecia,  privately,  the  next  morning,  while 
the  whole  company  were  on  their  way  to  Bridal  Veil 
Falls.  ;'  If  our  offer  to  arbitrate  between  thy  people 
and  Eko  Tanga  is  displeasing  to  thee,  consider  all 
things  unsaid." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  83 

"It  is  a  question  my  followers  must  decide  for 
themselves.  They  need  have  no  fear.  I  will  never 
leave  them.  They  stole  me  away  when  a  child  but  I 
love  them  as  my  own." 

"  Rumor  has  it  that  thy  visit  was  compulsory  — 
that  the  Monbas  brought  thee  here  intending  to 
fortify  the  place  and  then  refuse  to  receive  Eko 
Tanga." 

"  This  is  not  true.  I  came  to  perform  the  rite  of 
renewal  and  purification,  and  shall  tell  the  repre 
sentatives  from  my  father  that  I  do  not  desire  my 
so-called  freedom.  He  should  long  ago  have  given 
the  Monbas  all  that  he  has  promised  them  in  hope 
of  having  me  returned  to  him." 

"Then  thou  art  not  retained  against  thy  wish?" 
asked  Yermah,  who  in  company  with  Orondo  joined 
them  in  time  to  hear  the  last  remark. 

"  No,  truly.  The  Monbas  are  as  dependent  as 
children  and  in  no  circumstances  will  I  fail  in  my 
duty  to  them." 

"  Wilt  thou  visit  Tlamco  while  Eko  Tanga  is 
here?" 

It  would  have  been  hard  to  determine  which  of 
the  men  felt  the  greatest  interest  in  her  answer. 
Yermah,  Akaza  and  Orondo  were  each  a  study  at  this 
moment. 

"  My  followers  shall  answer  thy  question.  If 
consistent  with  their  wishes,  it  will  greatly  please  me 
to  go." 

'  Then  we  shall  be  honored  with  thy  presence 
soon,"  said  Orondo.  "  A  feeling  of  delicacy  re 
presses  an  expression  of  opinion.  But  I  have  knowl 
edge  that  they  will  feel  more  secure  if  thou  wilt  ac 
cept  our  protection." 


84  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  And  the  same  feeling  would  prompt  me  to  ask 
their  permission,"  she  answered  with  a  smile. 

"  So  be  it.  To  serve  loyally  is  the  office  we  de 
sire." 

******* 

"  This  bright  reflected  glory  pictures  life,"  ex 
claimed  Yermah,  as  the  warm  afternoon  sun  spanned 
the  long  flowing  veil  of  the  falls  with  a  succession  of 
rainbows. 

"  Tell  us  why,"  asked  Keroecia,  and  with  a  gesture 
of  silence  awaited  an  answer. 

The  pink  and  pride  of  Tlamco  was  before  them, 
but  he  was  still  too  young  a  man  to  teach  philosophy. 
He  looked  appealingly  at  Akaza. 

"  Tell  them  why  this  rainbow  is  like  the  upward 
spiral  compared  with  humanity,"  directed  Akaza. 
Then  he  turned  to  the  multitude  and  said : 

"  Hear  my  pupil  with  patience.  It  is  not  lawful 
for  youth  to  speak  esoterically." 

Yermah  flushed  with  pleasure  and  answered  read 
ily: 

"  Love,  as  the  negative,  or  feminine,  ray  of  Biune 
Deity  is  content  and  ever  seeks  to  enfold.  Wisdom, 
as  the  positive,  or  masculine,  ray,  is  restless,  and  al 
ways  in  pursuit.  The  feminine  forces  in  nature 
strive  to  encircle  the  atom,  while  the  masculine  at 
tempt  to  propel  it  in  a  straight  line.  From  this  dual 
action  of  spiritual  potentialities  is  born  the  spiral  — 
the  symbol  of  eternal  progression.  Man's  will  is 
electric,  penetrating  and  disruptive.  The  will  of 
woman  is  magnetic,  attractive  and  formative.  The 
two  express  the  polar  opposites  of  nature's  creative 
powers." 

The  sun  is  the  center,"  continued  the  speaker, 


i< 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  85 

"  and  around  him,  like  a  group  of  obedient  children, 
are  the  seven  planets  of  the  mystical  chain.  Each 
orb  produces  innumerable  types  of  fauna  and  flora, 
corresponding  to  the  action  of  its  own  peculiar  grades 
of  spiritual  force.  Each  comprises  a  miniature 
world  of  its  own.  But  each  planet  contains  all  the 
attributes  of  the  other  six." 

"  We  will  engrave  these  sayings  on  plates  of  cop 
per,  write  them  on  skins  of  animals,  mold  them  on 
cylinders  of  clay,  that  they  may  instruct  our  tribes 
men,"  said  the  Monbas  to  each  other  in  undertones. 

"  From  the  spinal  column  and  the  base  of  the  brain 
issue  streams  of  vitalizing  power,  causing  individuals 
to  attract  or  repel  one  another.  These  radiating 
magnets  finally  assume  the  form  of  spirals,  which  en 
circle  the  earth  and  penetrate  to  its  very  center,  and 
then  expand  themselves,  mist-like,  into  beautiful  rain 
bows,  such  as  we  see  here." 

"  In  which  direction  do  they  go?  "  asked  Keroecia. 

"  They  flow  backward  in  their  orbit,  and  gradually 
ascend  spirally.  The  first  round  corresponds  to  the 
earth's  annual  orbit  around  the  sun,  and  is  red.  Each 
convolution  doubles  in  size  as  it  ascends.  The  sec 
ond  round  is  orange;  the  third,  yellow;  the  fourth, 
green;  the  fifth,  blue;  the  sixth,  indigo;  and  the  last 
is  violet." 

"  Haille  I  Haille !  "  they  cried.  And  the  out 
burst  was  as  spontaneous  from  one  side  as  from  the 

other. 

******* 

Kercecia  held  up  her  hand  to  command  attention. 
"  Comrades,    thou   knowest   the   mission    of   our 
brothers  from  Tlamco.     What  are  thy  wishes?  " 
"  We  desire  the  little  mother  to  follow  her  own 


86  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

inclination.  We  feel  that  she  would  be  safe  and  free 
from  annoyance  in  Tlamco,"  they  answered. 

Keroecia  smiled  broadly.  Turning  to  Yermah, 
she  asked: 

"  When  will  thy  city  receive  me?  " 

'  Whenever  it  pleases  thee  to  come.  We  will 
gladly  do  escort  duty  now." 

"  That  were  not  possible.  But  in  a  fortnight  ex 
pect  me." 

"  Haille!    Haille!  "  echoed  again  and  again. 

It  was  fully  an  hour  before  the  presents  were  all 
exchanged.  There  were  exquisite  articles  of  ivory, 
carved  and  chased  in  colors,  and  inlaid  with  metals 
and  stones.  Baskets  of  incredible  fineness  and 
blankets  such  as  the  Navajo  Indians  used  to  make 
were  given  by  the  Monbas. 

Cunningly  wrought  cups  of  pottery  were  offered  to 
Keroecia  by  Ildiko,  one  being  of  her  own  make.  It 
was  round,  and  had  for  a  handle  a  female  head, 
which  was  an  excellent  likeness  of  herself.  Taking 
a  finely  woven  horsehair  rope,  which  terminated  in 
oblong  onyx  balls  —  Keroecia  swung  one  end  high 
over  her  head,  while  retaining  the  other  in  her  left 
hand.  Facing  Yermah,  she  entangled  him  com 
pletely  by  a  dexterous  turn  of  her  wrists,  despite  his 
playful  protest.  The  two  balls  swinging  in  oppo 
site  directions  rapidly  encircled  and  held  him  as  if  in 
a  grip  of  steel. 

"  That,  also,  is  a  spiral  movement,"  she  ex 
claimed,  mischievously. 

"  And  one  which  I  have  neither  the  desire  nor  the 
power  to  control  or  escape,"  he  replied,  meaningly. 

"  The  laws  of  hospitality  declare  the  property  con- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  87 

fiscate  to  thee.  The  cord  should  be  condemned  to  a 
life  of  hard  service." 

"  On  the  contrary,  it  shall  have  a  high  place  in  my 
affections,  and  shall  receive  state  honors." 

There  was  that  in  his  look  and  voice  which  sent 
the  warm  blood  mantling  to  her  cheek  and  brow. 

Akaza  came  forward  and  with  a  blessing  slipped 
a  ring  on  her  little  finger.  It  was  set  with  a  garnet, 
having  a  lion  intaglio. 

"  This  will  guard  thee  on  thy  journey,  and  pre 
vent  evil  machinations  from  having  control  over  the 
matters  in  hand." 

What  she  said  in  return  was  drowned  in  the  blare 
of  trumpets  and  the  general  preparations  for  de 
parture. 

"  May  Ambra  plant  flowers  and  make  thy  life  a 
garden  spot.  May  the  Good  Spirit  protect  and 
bless  thee  and  thine,"  was  shouted  after  the  moving 
column. 

"  May  the  spirits  of  darkness  never  cast  a  shadow 
on  thy  pathway,"  came  in  answering  echoes,  as  the 
trees  and  rocks  finally  hid  the  departing  embassy. 


CHAPTER  SEVEN 

KERCECIA  VISITS  THE  ENCHANTED  GARDENS 

IT  was  called  the  "  Lifting  of  Banners  "  the  day 
that  the  high-priestess,  Kercecia,  arrived  in 
Tlamco  and  the  anniversary  was  for  centuries 
after,  celebrated  with  much  pomp  and  ceremony. 

Stout  ropes  of  similar  fiber  to  that  in  use  to-day 
were  stretched  from  the  inner  to  the  outer  circle  of 
obelisks.  At  regular  intervals  along  these  lines  were 
strung  bits  of  cotton  cloth  in  octavos  of  coloring,  al 
ternating  square  and  triangular  shapes  with  innumer 
able  devices  painted  upon  them. 

Pennants  of  the  priesthood,  of  the  civic  federation, 
and  of  the  innumerable  clans,  were  everywhere  afloat 
on  the  breeze,  while  laqua  was  a  mass  of  Monbas 
streamers,  banners  and  flags.  All  of  the  balsas  flew 
the  colors  of  the  high-priestess,  and  there  was  a  splen 
did  escort  pageant  along  the  canal. 

When  Kercecia  approached  the  landing,  long  lines 
of  citizens  extended  from  laqua  to  the  water's  edge. 
As  Yermah  led  the  way  in  a  state  chariot,  a  deafen 
ing  shout  arose.  The  wheels  fairly  flew  over  the 
causeway  as  the  thoroughbred  horses  galloped  in 
even  step  under  Yermah's  steady  hand.  Keroecia 
stood  beside  him  happy  and  smiling  graciously. 

The  chariot  was  of  ivory  and  gold,  resplendent 
with  jewels.  The  hub  of  each  wheel  was  a  golden 
sunburst,  while  the  twelve  spokes  representing  the 

88 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  89 

signs  of  the  zodiac,  were  outlined  with  appropriate 
gems  and  colors.  This  gorgeous  state  vehicle  was 
drawn  by  three  white  horses  caparisoned  in  creamy 
white  and  gold  with  rows  of  jewels  and  crests  of 
tropic  plumage  held  in  place  with  long  twisted  ropes 
of  yellow  silk.  A  canopy  of  the  same  flaming  yellow 
fabric  intricately  brocaded,  protected  the  occupants 
from  the  sun. 

Yermah  wore  a  white  chamois  tunic,  rich  with 
gold  embroideries,  his  head  being  covered  with  a  hel 
met  of  the  same  metal.  His  mantle  was  a  gorgeous 
feather  mosaic  of  bronze  green.  In  addition  to  a 
sword,  he  carried  a  circular  shield  of  bronze,  in  the 
center  of  which  was  a  dragon  and  in  the  outer  edge 
were  seven  rings.  The  four  seasons  were  also 
shown.  The  scenes  represented  plowing,  seed-time, 
harvest,  and  winter  surrounded  by  a  meander  sym 
bolizing  the  ocean. 

Keroecia  was  enveloped  in  a  mantle  of  ermine, 
lined  with  the  soft  gray  breast  of  sea-gulls.  On  her 
head  was  a  rainbow  band  of  silk  fastened  in  front  by 
a  jeweled  aigrette.  Both  Keroecia  and  Yermah 
wore  the  full  decoration  and  insignia  of  their  rank. 
The  out-riders  and  attendants  were  mounted  and 
equipped  as  befitted  their  station.  Even  Oghi, 
chained  to  the  back  of  the  chariot,  seemed  to  enjoy 
the  pageant. 

The  main  entrance  to  laqua  was  on  the  south  side, 
where  the  massive  double-doors  of  the  vestibule  led 
to  a  terrace  which  was  approached  by  broad,  low 
steps.  There  were  eight  of  these  flights,  and  it  re 
quired  three  more  steps  to  reach  the  threshold  which 
was  of  pink-veined  marble.  On  each  side  of  the 
rows  of  steps  were  slightly  raised  flat  pedestals  sur- 


90  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

mounted  by  groups  of  statuary  of  well-known  At- 
lantian  heroes.  These  burnished  figures  were  made 
of  that  peculiar  bronze  amalgam,  known  only  to  the 
ancients,  which  never  lost  its  original  brilliancy,  and 
being  exceptionally  hard  was  also  of  fine  color. 

There  was  a  colonnade  of  massive  marble  pillars 
supporting  a  frieze  and  entablature.  Above  this  was 
a  flat  roof  surrounded  by  a  parapet  breast-high.  The 
outside  walls  were  of  marble  veneer  unpolished  and 
laid  like  rubble  over  the  thick  adobe  bricks. 

Once  inside  the  vestibule,  a  scene  of  splendor 
greeted  the  eye.  On  the  right,  or  eastern  side  of 
the  entrance,  was  the  rising  sun-god  driving  his  four 
horses  out  of  the  sea,  the  group  being  of  flawless  mar 
ble  and  of  heroic  size.  The  sun-burst  around  the 
head  of  the  figure,  the  trappings  of  the  horses,  and 
the  trimmings  of  the  chariot  were  of  virgin  gold. 

On  the  left,  or  western  side,  the  moon-goddess  was 
represented  as  driving  her  horses  into  the  sea.  She 
was  seated  on  the  back  of  one  and  guiding  the  other 
six.  This  group  was  cut  in  black  marble  and  pro 
fusely  ornamented  with  silver. 

The  square  vestibule  was  finished  in  hard  woods, 
richly  carved  and  polished.  Rare  and  choice  skins 
were  stretched  upon  the  inlaid  floor,  and  there  was  a 
rose-jar  of  fine  pottery  at  each  side  of  the  door. 
Richly  carved  chairs  outlined  the  walls,  while  per 
fumed  lamps  hung  above  the  mantel,  beneath  which 
glowed  a  bed  of  live  coals.  Placed  over  the  blaze, 
on  a  thin  glass  rod,  was  a  small  ball  of  spongy  plat 
inum.  The  lamp  was  lighted  and  allowed  to  burn 
until  the  ball  became  a  lurid  red,  after  which  the 
flame  was  extinguished,  leaving  the  ball  incandes 
cent  for  a  long  time,  gently  heating  the  perfumed 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  91 

oil  and  sending  a  delicious  fragrance  throughout  the 
room. 

The  vestibule  opened  into  an  interior  court  where 
a  fountain  played  and  birds  of  gay  plumage  kept  up 
an  incessant  noise.  Pet  animals  roamed  at  will. 
Seats  were  provided  in  the  shady  nooks  and  cushions 
for  the  tessellated  floors.  There  was  a  colonnade  in 
the  inner  court,  similar  in  style  to  the  outer  one.  The 
balcony  overhead  was  of  carved  onyx  surmounted  by 
a  veritable  garden  of  rare  plants  in  handsome  pots, 
trellised  and  interlaced  across  the  open  space.  A 
pyramidal  fountain  in  an  octagonal  basin,  placed  in 
the  center,  was  supported  by  eight  huge  bronze  lions. 

On  the  north,  adjoining  Yermah's  private  apart 
ments,  were  the  reception  rooms  and  banquet-halls. 
It  was  into  the  former  that  Keroecia  and  her  women 
were  conducted  while  the  men  were  made  comfort 
able  in  the  Hall  of  Ambassadors,  to  the  west. 

Here  was  a  wainscoting  of  odoriferous  cedar, 
carved  as  intricately  as  a  sandal-wood  fan,  above 
which  hung  richly  dyed  tapestries  of  historical  im 
port,  strips  of  silk  embroidery  and  feather-work  of 
indescribable  beauty. 

On  the  floor  of  pine,  scrubbed  to  immaculate  white 
ness,  lay  a  wonderful  white  carpet,  bordered  with 
gold  and  silver,  in  which  were  incrusted  precious 
stones,  representing  many  kinds  of  choice  flowers. 
The  leaves  were  formed  of  emerald,  jade,  aqua  ma 
rine,  and  Amazon  stones,  while  the  buds  and  blos 
soms  were  composed  of  pearls,  rubies  and  sapphires 
in  the  rough.  The  only  cut  and  polished  stones  in 
the  entire  carpet  were  the  diamonds,  sparkling  in  the 
center  of  the  blossoms,  like  dewdrops. 

Curtains  as  fine  as  cobwebs  hung  over  the  tiny 


92  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

square-paned  windows,  and  there  were  many  terra 
cotta  stools,  ornamented  in  low-tone  outline  work,  de 
tailing  the  mythology  and  folk-lore  of  Atlantis. 

Exquisite  screens  closed  all  entrances  except  the 
outside,  where  thick  bronze  slabs  were  fastened  by 
heavy  bolts  and  chains.  Admission  was  sought  by 
striking  these  plates  with  a  mallet  of  inlaid  bronze. 

A  cloudless,  moonlight  sky  added  much  to  the 
fairy-like  effect  of  the  night  scene.  Between  the  ban 
ners  were  silken  lanterns  gay  in  coloring,  shade  and 
decoration,  and  these  twinkled  like  spheres  of  many- 
colored  fire.  The  brilliant  blaze  of  light  on  the  sig 
nal-towers,  the  innumerable  rockets,  showering  gold, 
silver  or  rainbow  balls  in  profusion,  or  long,  forked 
arrows,  made  the  night  a  memorable  one. 

Setos,  the  inventor  of  pyrotechnics,  outdid  him 
self,  and  the  whole  population  were  in  attendance  to 
witness  and  enjoy  the  display.  Not  a  housetop  in 
Tlamco  but  answered  the  pretty  code  of  greetings 
arranged  from  the  battlements  of  laqua.  By  these 
means  Keroecia  was  enabled  to  thank  each  regiment, 
guild,  clan  and  family  taking  part  in  her  triumphant 
entry  early  in  the  day. 

When  the  high-priestess  opened  her  door  the  next 
morning,  she  found  the  passage  barred  by  big-faced 
velvet  pansies,  crisp,  fresh  and  still  moist  with  dew. 

"To  whose  thoughtfulness  am  I  debtor?"  she 
asked  of  one  of  the  armed  guardians  pacing  the  hall 
way  before  the  door. 

"  To  Orondo.  And  he  begs  that  thou  wilt  accept 
his  escort  for  a  visit  to  the  gardens,  at  such  hour  as 
best  suits  thy  pleasure  and  comfort." 

"  It  will  please  me  to  see  him  at  once,"  she  an 
swered. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  93 

Alcyesta,  Suravia  and  Mineola  were  examining  the 
rare  basket  filled  with  flowers  which  Yermah  had 
sent  with  a  kindly  message. 

"The  daffodils  show  his  regard;  the  ferns,  his 
sincerity;  and  the  violets,  his  extreme  modesty,"  they 
said,  with  giggling  laughter,  betraying  the  tension  of 
nerves  still  animating  them.  They  were  agog  with 
expectation,  and  when  told  of  the  projected  visit  to 
the  peerless  gardens  they  entered  into  the  arrange 
ment  with  all  the  zest  and  abandon  of  curious  girl 
hood. 

"  From  the  roses  on  thy  cheeks,  I  am  justified  in 
the  inference  that  troops  of  good  entities  have 
guarded  thy  slumbers,"  said  Orondo,  when  the 
women  came  into  the  vestibule  where  he  was  await 
ing  them. 

"  I  can  only  hope  that  the  same  blessed  oblivion 
has  been  thy  portion,"  responded  Keroecia. 

"  Rahula,  Ildiko  and  Alcamayn  join  us  at  the  sun 
dial,  presently.  They  are  intent  upon  a  natal  ob 
servance  which,  by  thy  leave  we  shall  witness." 

Palanquins  were  their  mode  of  conveyance. 

"  Alcyesta,  Suravia  and  Mineola,  look  at  the  an 
swer  to  our  signals  of  last  night,"  exclaimed  Keroecia. 
"  Oh !  see  the  rose  garlands  on  the  obelisks,  and  the 
beautiful  flowers  everywhere  I  " 

As  she  said  this,  a  delegation  of  school  children 
strewed  her  pathway  with  wall-flowers. 

"  Fidelity  in  adversity  1  How  considerate  and 
kind  thou  art !  " 

She  begged  to  be  set  down  and  stood  with  her 
hands  full  of  the  blossoms,  which  she  repeatedly  car 
ried  to  her  lips,  tossing  them  to  the  children  about 
her.  It  was  an  indiscriminate  mass  of  little  ones, 


94  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

augmented  by  a  bevy  of  older  girls,  laden  with 
myrrh,  wheat,  oats  and  sprigs  of  heliotrope.  Be 
fore  Keroecia  realized  it,  her  vacant  chair  was  filled 
with  flowering  sage  and  Sweet  William  in  bloom. 

This  language  of  esteem  and  gallantry  was  a 
tribute  from  some  warrior  priests  sent  to  keep  order 
and  to  assist  in  escort  duty.  Keroecia  and  her  com 
panions  wound  the  flower-wreaths  in  their  hair, 
placed  clusters  of  the  same  at  their  throats,  and  in 
their  girdles,  and  carried  as  many  more  as  their  hands 
could  hold. 

"  Haille  I  Haille  I  "  spearsmen  and  school  children 
shouted  in  chorus,  only  desisting  when  the  garden 
gates  were  reached,  and  the  party  halted  for  a  final 
exchange  of  courtesies.  Keroecia  turned  to  Orondo. 

"  I  love  these  kind,  good-hearted  people,"  she 
said. 

"  Small  wonder  that  they  should  love  thee  in  re 
turn.  The  Monbas  are  not  the  only  men  willing  to 
die  for  thee."  The  flush  on  his  face,  his  earnestness 
of  manner  and  speech,  should  have  warned  Keroecia ; 
but  at  that  moment,  she  was  intently  examining  the 
sculpture  on  the  stone  aqueduct,  here  emptying  into 
an  artificial  lake.  Realizing  the  situation,  Orondo 
was  quick  to  turn  it  to  advantage. 

"  I  have  a  feeling  of  kinship  with  this  body  of 
water,  since  it  is  mine  by  right  of  plan  and  construc 
tion.  The  gardens  are  my  special  charge.  We  of 
Aztlan  have  choice  of  occupation,  and  I  have  sole 
command  over  this  spot." 

'  Thou  art  generously  endowed  with  the  sense  of 
the  beautiful,"  she  returned,  in  appreciation.  u  I  am 
curious  to  know  why  this  curbing  is  not  in  straight, 
but  in  wavy  lines." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  95 

"  Because  it  is  a  meander  imitating  a  river  of  spir 
itual  force.  The  carving,  also,  conveys  the  same 

idea." 

******* 

The  party  had  crossed  the  avenue  leading  from 
the  market  walls  to  the  Temple  of  Neptune.  The 
aqueduct  surrounded  the  outside  enclosure,  and  was 
built  of  solid  sandstone  and  masonry,  supported  by 
arches  of  the  same.  The  water  in  the  canal  came 
from  Lake  La  Honda  and  skirted  Blue  Mountain. 
Where  it  emptied  into  Ohaba  Lake,  in  the  gardens,  it 
made  a  pretty  cascade  over  a  profusion  of  rocks  and 
water-plants. 

To  the  right  of  the  market  was  a  sun-dial,  which 
was  a  colossal  bronze  figure  of  a  full-armored  war 
rior  thrusting  furiously  at  his  own  shadow.  This 
statue,  of  perfect  model  and  workmanship,  was 
placed  on  a  pivot  which  revolved  once  in  every 
twenty-four  hours.  At  the  feet  was  a  glass  dial, 
whose  grains  of  gold  slipped  out  at  stated  intervals, 
one  at  a  time,  sticking  fast  on  the  quicksilver  bed 
prepared  for  them.  The  warrior  could  only  scowl 
at,  and  threaten  the  shining  hours. 

When  the  sun  at  rising  darted  a  direct  shadow  by 
the  gnomon,  or  machete,  in  the  hand  of  a  soldier, 
and  at  its  height,  or  mid-day,  the  figure  made  no 
shade,  the  populace  adorned  it  with  leaves  and  odorif 
erous  herbs.  Then  they  placed  a  chair  made  of 
choice  cut-flowers  on  top  of  the  helmet,  saying  that 
the  sun  appeared  on  his  most  glittering  throne. 
After  this,  with  great  ostentation  and  rejoicings,  they 
made  offerings  of  gold,  silver  and  precious  stones. 

Among  the  spectators  of  the  ceremony,  were 
Keroecia  and  Orondo.  His  interest  centered  wholly 


96  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

in  her  —  hers,  in  the  novel  rites  and  the  people,  who 
seemed  to  feel  honored  by  her  presence. 

On  an  eminence  beyond  the  sun-dial  was  the  House 
of  Piety,  a  structure  having  many  apartments,  filled 
with  priests  devoted  to  the  healing  art.  The  grounds 
between  were  laid  out  in  regular  squares  and  the 
intersecting  paths  were  bordered  with  trellises  sup 
porting  creepers  and  aromatic  shrubs.  These 
swayed  in  the  breeze,  partially  screening  the  view 
by  a  quaint  tracery  of  floral  net-work. 

Setos  had  been  paying  a  visit  to  the  House  of 
Piety.  On  his  way  to  the  salt-water  fish-ponds,  lo 
cated  near  Temple  Avenue,  but  further  up,  he  was 
startled  by  a  low,  sullen  growl,  and  a  quick  leap  into 
a  clump  of  bushes  near  him.  He  was  unarmed,  save 
for  a  serpentine  knife  in  his  leather  belt,  and  this  he 
instantly  unsheathed  and  was  prepared  for  attack. 
He  had  not  long  to  wait  before  the  blood-shot  eyes 
of  Oghi  peered  through  the  greenery,  and  he  could 
hear  its  tail  lashing  on  the  ground  as  the  animal  pre 
pared  for  a  spring. 

At  this  juncture,  there  was  an  ominous  rattle  of 
the  chain,  and,  in  an  instant,  Oghi  had  turned  a  com 
plete  somersault  in  the  air.  Akaza  jerked  the  chain 
hard  enough  to  snap  the  self-clasping  catch  planned 
for  such  an  emergency,  and  the  ocelot  came  down 
on  three  legs. 

"  Down,  Oghi !  Down,  sir !  "  sternly  commanded 
Akaza.  This  was  answered  by  a  howl  of  mingled 
rage  and  surprise,  as  Oghi  crouched  with  each  hair  on 
back  and  tail  erect  with  hostility. 

"  Remain  motionless,  Setos !  Shouldst  thou  move 
I  would  not  be  responsible  for  the  consequences," 
commanded  Akaza,  as  he  hastily  twisted  the  chain 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  97 

around  a  good-sized  flowering  shrub.  He  managed 
to  get  the  eye  of  the  infuriated  animal,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  danger  was  over.  None  but  a  man 
absolutely  master  of  self  and  conditions,  could  have 
quelled  this  beast  as  Akaza  did. 

"  Oghi,  lie  down !     Lie  down,  sir !  " 

Without  the  least  show  of  resistance,  the  ocelot 
obeyed  him. 

"  What  thievish  mischief  has  that  brute  been  do 
ing?  "  asked  Setos,  allowing  anger  to  surplant  a  sick 
ening  sense  of  fear. 

"  Let  us  ascertain.  He  has  broken  away  from  his 
keeper,  else  he  would  not  be  here,"  replied  Akaza. 

"  Dost  thou  see  footprints  in  the  soft  mud  at  the 
bottom  of  the  tank?  I  am  persuaded  that  Oghi 
made  a  meal  of  the  rarest  fish  in  the  pond."  Setos 
was  at  his  favorite  occupation  —  he  did  so  dearly 
love  to  exaggerate  misdeeds  of  any  kind. 

"  There  are  feathers,  too,  all  about  here,"  he 
called  as  he  ran  from  one  rookery  to  another. 
"  There  are  but  four  of  the  quetzal  left  in  the  silver 
fir.  Yermah  cannot  be  permitted  to  give  away  any 
of  them.  All  he  can  do  is  to  present  these  feathers 
to  the  high-priestess." 

Setos  came  back  with  a  handful  of  brilliant  green 
plumes,  about  three  feet  long  showing  rainbow  tints 
in  their  metallic  luster.  There  was  also  a  portion  of 
scarlet  breast  still  dripping  with  blood,  but  that  was 
all. 

"  I  find  this  luminous  tree  badly  broken,"  said 
Akaza.  "  Oghi  must  have  attempted  to  jump  over 
it.  He  has  broken  the  whole  top  off,  and  split  the 
bole  down  to  the  roots.  Disappointment  awaits 
Orondo  because  he  planned  to  bring  our  visitors  here 


98  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

and  show  them  how  this  tree  lights  up  its  surround 
ings  at  night.  It  were  best  to  find  out  whether  the 
torch-fish  has  been  injured." 

Setos  poked  and  raked  among  the  pools  and  eddies 
of  the  pond,  but  reported  the  torch-fish  uninjured. 
This  member  of  the  finny  tribe  does  not  use  the 
torch  for  purposes  of  illumination.  When  meal 
time  comes,  it  lights  up  to  attract  smaller  fish.  They, 
mistaking  the  lantern  for  a  phosphorescent  insect, 
dart  at  it  only  to  find  their  way  into  a  pair  of  capa 
cious  jaws. 

The  evidence  was  wholly  circumstantial;  but,  it 
was  decided  to  make  an  example  of  Oghi,  so  the 
ocelot  was  led  up  the  main  thoroughfare  hobbling 
on  three  legs. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  Oghi  had  spent  the  entire 
morning  chasing  his  own  shadow,  going  into  a  veri 
table  spasm  of  excitement  when  he  saw  his  image 
reflected  in  the  water.  It  took  him  long  to  decide 
that  it  was  not  some  other  animal  when  the  image 
moved.  Oghi  tired  himself  out  trying  to  discover 
the  reason  why  the  reflection  undulated  and  rippled, 
when  he,  himself,  was  motionless.  He  flounced  in 
and  out  of  the  pond  so  often,  that  he  could  not  pos 
sibly  have  caught  a  fish.  They  were  securely  hidden 
through  it  all,  and  a  huge  rat  did  the  damage  found 
in  the  aviary. 

Poor  Oghi !  His  greatest  fault  was  an  abiding 
dislike  to  Setos,  and  his  antipathies  seemed  to  center 
around  that  one  idea.  This  was  why  he  snarled  and 
snapped  every  time  he  came  near  the  sun-dial.  By 
some  process  of  reasoning,  the  ocelot  decided  that  the 
sun-dial  was  modeled  after  Setos. 

These  repeated  plunges  disturbed  the  glass-bot- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  99 

tomed  wooden  box,  used  to  produce  a  beautiful  op 
tical  illusion  in  the  salt  water.  The  box  was  without 
cover,  and  so  placed  that  the  glass  bottom  was 
slightly  below  the  surface.  This  arrangement  en 
abled  the  observer  to  look  steadily  downward  to  the 
sea-floor  itself.  The  first  impression  was  that  the 
glass  possessed  magical  powers.  Not  a  tree,  nor  a 
flower  actually  on  the  land  above,  but  was  here  re 
flected  in  colors  and  forms  of  airiest  grace. 

Orondo  piloted  his  party  to  where  there  was  a 
sheltered  cocoa-palm  tree.  This  was  a  very  unusual 
tree,  for  on  more  than  one  occasion  a  vegetable  pearl 
had  been  found  among  its  branches.  Such  an  one 
was  given  to  Keroecia,  and  she  was  also  allowed  the 
choice  of  opals  taken  from  the  joints  of  bamboo 
reeds. 

"  If  thou  art  willing,"  said  Alcamayn,  "  I  will  cut 
the  seven  pointed  star  of  Jupiter  in  this  gem  at  the 
polishing,  and  then  thou  wilt  have  an  amulet  against 
disease." 

"  By  so  doing,  thou  wilt  give  great  pleasure,  and, 
if  agreeable  I  desire  a  bracelet  made  of  this  vegetable 
ivory,"  she  answered. 

"  Why  not  put  the  pearl  in  the  center  and  an  opal 
on  each  side  ?  "  suggested  Ildiko.  "  Here  is  a  perfect 
match  for  the  one  thou  hast  chosen.  Why  not  have 
the  sign  of  Jupiter  cut  on  one  and  his  star  on  the 
other?  This  will  surely  bring  good  fortune." 

While  they  were  selecting  the  ivory  and  discussing 
the  details  of  ornament,  Orondo  busied  himself  with 
a  tiny  filigree  silver  cage  containing  a  couple  of  giant 
fire-flies. 

"Am  I  in  an  enchanted  garden?"  laughingly  in 
quired  Keroecia  when  she  was  tolled  off  to  a  shady 


100  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

nook  to  inspect  these  wonderful  insects.  Orondo 
covered  the  cage  with  a  black  cloth,  and  instantly  a 
ruddy  glow  proceeded  from  two  glandular  spots  be 
tween  the  eyes  and  under  each  wing  of  the  fire-flies. 
Soon  the  rays  changed  to  a  golden  yellow,  equal  to  a 
candle  in  brightness. 

"  To  protect  thee  from  genii,"  said  Orondo,  "  are 
a  pair  of  racket-tailed  humming-birds.  These  little 
fellows  are  booted  and  spurred  like  regular  warriors, 
and  are  competent  to  fight  any  size  or  condition  of 
feather-wearer." 

The  cage,  rich  in  carving,  was  made  of  sandal- 
wood.  From  the  pagoda-like  roof  hung  four  small 
triangular-shaped  banners. 

"  It  were  a  gentle  soul  which  planned  these  kind 
remembrances,"  murmured  Keroecia,  softly. 

"  These  come  from  one  who  has  been  deeply 
moved  by  the  simplicity  of  thy  ministrations,"  gal 
lantly  responded  Orondo. 

Keroecia  unwittingly  led  the  way  toward  a 
swampy-looking  inclosure  fenced  by  poison-ivy  and 
climbing  sumac  which  she  did  not  dare  touch. 

"  Thou  art  wandering  into  forbidden  domains," 
remonstrated  Orondo,  hastening  to  her  side.  "  Na 
ture  broods  her  deadliest  poisons  in  this  company. 
Here  the  carrot,  parsnip,  and  celery  families  are  un 
dergoing  regeneration.  In  time,  I  shall  have  them 
suitable  for  food.  That  pretty  lily  thou  art  admir 
ing  is  the  deadly  hemlock;  and  here  are  the  fox 
glove,  the  henbane,  and  the  jimson-weed — " 

"  Surely  I  need  no  reminder  of  murderous  quality 
here,"  rejoined  Keroecia.  She  was  gazing  at  a  clus 
ter  of  aconite.  "  My  people  have  used  this  with  ter 
rible  effect  on  themselves  and  on  their  enemies." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  101 

She  had  reference  to  the  poisoned  arrows  employed 
by  the  Monbas  in  their  expeditions  against  the  lans. 

A  swift-footed  runner,  wearing  state  livery,  ap 
proached,  and  prostrating  himself  before  Keroecia, 
said: 

"  Yermah,  the  Dorado,  presents  his  compliments, 
and  begs  that  the  high-priestess,  Keroecia,  will 
grace  the  Hall  of  Embassadors  with  her  presence. 
Ben  Hu  Barabe,  Eko  Tanga,  and  the  Dorado  await 
her  there." 

"  Immediate  compliance  is  the  only  form  grateful 
obedience  takes,"  she  answered,  while  a  swift  pallor 
overspread  her  countenance.  "  Let  us  go  at  once !  " 

A  shade  of  disappointment  came  over  Orondo's 
face.  He  had  hoped  to  show  Kercecia  more  of  the 
beauties  of  this  royal  garden.  There  was  something 
of  the  impatience  of  the  lover  and  the  selfishness  of 
a  rival  in  his  feeling.  They  were  passing  through 
the  landscape  set  with  night-blooming  plants. 

As  they  neared  Lake  Ohaba,  a  long,  narrow  body 
of  water,  formed  artificially,  there  were  masses  of 
water-lilies  anchored  on  the  surface.  Tiny  air-bub 
bles  and  tinier  mouths  indicated  the  presence  of  gold 
and  silver  fish,  darting  about  unmindful  of  the  water 
fowl  feeding  on  the  banks,  or  sunning  themselves  on 
the  floating  gardens  which  dotted  the  miniature  lake. 

Bridges,  ponds,  waterfalls  and  temples  covered  the 
landscape  of  the  floating  gardens,  but  everything  was 
constructed  on  the  smallest  scale  possible.  The 
trees  were  old  and  gnarled,  and  the  moss-covered 
masonry  was  no  larger  than  a  doll's  house  and 
grounds.  Even  the  dahlias  and  the  chrysanthemums 
were  dwarfed  into  pigmy  sizes. 

Keroecia  must  have  felt  something  of  Orondo's 


102  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

disappointment;  for,  she  halted  in  front  of  the  fan 
ciful  pavilion  facing  these  movable  wonders  and 
ordered  the  palanquin  which  was  to  convey  her  back 
to  laqua. 

"  I  am  loathe  to  leave  the  spot  where  Nature  and 
man  have  wrought  so  well  together,"  she  said,  with 
simplicity  and  appreciation. 

"  Such  pretty  reluctance  reconciles  one  to  that 
obedience  which  sometimes  tries  the  souls  of  men," 
responded  Orondo,  satisfied  with  the  admiration  so 
plainly  reflected  in  her  open  countenance. 

As  the  tamanes  knelt  to  receive  their  human 
freight,  one  of  them  presented  Keroecia  with  a  basket 
ornamented  with  beads  and  feathers  in  quaint  com 
bination,  and  filled  with  ripe  pomelos.  The  fruit 
was  partially  concealed  by  grape  leaves,  and  was  a 
simple  offering  to  quench  thirst. 

******* 

In  laying  out  the  city  of  Tlamco,  the  four  points  of 
the  compass  were  designated  by  different  colors. 
The  east,  from  whence  come  revivified  nature  and 
springtime,  was  marked  by  green.  This  symbolizes 
fulfillment  and  perfection.  It  holds  out  the  hope  of 
immortality  and  victory,  in  the  laurel  and  in  the 
palm.  For  this  reason  was  the  emerald  considered 
the  happiness-bringing  stone.  The  Aztecs,  Chinese, 
and  Persians  attach  great  significance  to  green  as  all 
their  uniforms  and  ceremonies  demonstrate. 

The  west  was  designated  by  white,  the  emblem  in 
dicating  integrity  in  the  judge,  humility  in  the  sick, 
and  chastity  in  women.  In  a  spiritual  sense  it  is  the 
acme  of  all  —  divinity.  When  worn  as  mourning 
white  expresses  negation  of  self. 

The  south  was  red,  signifying  fire,  and  all  phases 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  103 

of  life  on  the  physical  plane.  The  red  color  of  the 
blood  has  its  origin  in  the  action  of  the  heart,  which 
from  time  immemorial  has  been  associated  with  love. 

The  north  was  black,  ever  the  symbol  of  death 
and  despair.  These  people  knew  of  the  recurring 
Ice  Age,  and  to  them  the  north  was  typical  of  death, 
since  all  former  civilization  had  perished  from  ex 
treme  cold. 

The  center  of  the  city  was  marked  yellow,  in  honor 
of  the  sun,  the  symbol  of  light  and  wisdom. 

The  Grand  Servitor  was  expected  to  wear  a  yellow 
or  red  head-covering  with  gold  ornaments,  and  he 
must  at  all  times  use  yellow  for  a  parasol  or  canopy. 
The  highest  dignitaries  carried  green  umbrellas  and 
there  was  always  a  bit  of  green  showing  in  the  head- 
coverings.  The  lower  officials  carried  red  parasols 
or  wore  red;  while  the  citizens  wore  black,  or  carried 
black  overhead. 

Akaza  was  always  provided  with  a  white  umbrella. 


CHAPTER  EIGHT 

A  COVETED  SPOT  AND  A  PRICELESS  TREASURE 

THE  Hall  of  Ambassadors  at  laqua  was  still 
the  scene  of  an  animated  discussion. 
There  were   groups   of  scribes,   runners 
and  astrologers  excitedly  examining  maps  and  charts, 
while  knots  of  citizens  gathered  around  the  old  men 
and  heard   from   their  lips   the   particulars.     Some 
were  priests,  others  were  treasure  keepers,  judges  and 
councilors ;  but  one  and  all  were  disposed  to  stand  by 
the  records. 

Patient,  respectful  tamanes  glided  noiselessly  here 
and  there,  opening  and  placing  some  of  the  books  on 
the  tables  ready  for  inspection,  while  they  closed  and 
carried  others  back  to  the  vaulted  recesses  where  they 
had  been  under  lock  and  key  since  the  foundation  of 
Tlamco.  Some  of  the  manuscripts  were  on  cotton 
cloth,  others  were  of  carefully  prepared  skins,  tanned 
and  dressed  until  soft  as  silk. 

For  ages  the  Indians  have  known  how  to  prepare 
superior  chamois.  When  they  tan  a  skin  it  looks 
like  soft,  pliant  yellow  velvet  and  has  an  odor  pe 
culiar  to  itself.  These  qualities  are  imparted  by 
smoking  it  thoroughly  over  a  fire  composed  of  cer 
tain  herbs.  Rain  has  no  effect  upon  well-tanned 
Indian  buck-skin.  This  is  why  an  Indian  moccasin 
is  always  as  yielding  as  cloth,  while  as  thick  and  soft 
as  felt. 

104 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  105 

A  composition  of  gum  and  silk  tissue  made  by  a 
process  known  to-day  by  the  Japanese  and  Chinese 
was  invariably  used  by  the  Monbas  for  the  transcrip 
tion  of  public  documents.  Their  books  were  bound 
with  blocks  of  polished  wood,  and  folded  together, 
like  a  fan.  These  surfaces  were  inscribed  on  both 
sides  so  that  the  writing  was  continuous,  ending  where 
it  began,  but  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  same  square. 

Around  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  the  Civil  Chief  of  the 
Monbas,  were  a  number  of  Monbas  warriors  in  full 
coats  of  mail  and  side  arms.  Setos  mingled  freely 
with  them  and  appeared  to  espouse  their  side  of  the 
controversy,  while  Akaza  conversed  in  subdued 
tones  with  Eko  Tanga,  the  tall,  fierce-looking,  but 
well-mannered  emissary  from  the  lans.  Yermah 
had  that  freedom  and  grace  of  movement  born  in 
natural  leaders,  and  there  was  an  unconscious  recog 
nition  of  this  quality  wherever  he  went  among  the 
disputants. 

A  young  Monbas  warrior  stood  near  him  and 
leaned  intently  over  the  neatly  inscribed  parchment 
rolls  bearing  the  official  seal  of  Atlantis.  The  leaves 
of  maguey  and  agave  had  been  used  in  the  fabrication 
of  this  beautiful  paper. 

"  These  measurements  and  observations  were 
taken  shortly  after  the  shaping  of  Hotara  (Lone 
Mountain),  and  before  the  surrounding  tumuli  had 
been  finished,"  said  Yermah. 

He  was  seated  at  a  round  table  in  the  center  of 
the  room  in  an  entirely  characteristic  pose.  One  foot 
was  drawn  well  back  and  poised  on  the  toes,  while  the 
other  was  thrust  forward  but  little  in  advance  of  the 
knee  and  leg.  On  his  head  a  single  band  of  filigree 
gold  was  relieved  by  a  carbuncle  of  rare  brilliancy 


106  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

which  sparkled  warm  and  glowing  in  the  medallion 
center. 

The  Dorado's  cloth-of-gold  cloak,  lined  with  scar 
let  and  black  brocade,  was  thrown  carelessly  back 
from  his  shoulders,  and  his  thumb,  which  grasped 
the  edge  of  the  table  to  balance  his  body,  as  he  leaned 
forward  eagerly,  was  banded  by  a  curiously  wrought 
signet  ring.  There  was  masculinity  and  strength  in 
the  jewel  which  was  the  only  ornament  on  the  virile 
hand. 

"  Our  ancestors  knew  these  things  well,"  answered 
the  warrior  after  a  minute  examination. 

"  The  city  was  young  then.  But  I  see  no  reason 
why  the  accuracy  of  this  work  should  be  questioned. 
I  hope  that  Ben  Hu  Barabe  may  be  induced  to  see  it 
so." 

"  The  scale  is  one  one-hundred-millionths,  and 
shows  the  diameter  of  all  the  planets  from  Hotara. 
There  has  been  but  little  variation  in  eccentricity  of 
orbits  since,"  declared  Yermah,  now  busy  with  com 
putations,  which  he  made  by  using  an  abacus,  as  the 
Chinese  have  always  done. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  still  studied  his  maps  and  charts. 
He  was  industriously  making  deductions  from  the 
highly  colored  picture-writing,  though  the  cloth  on 
which  they  were  painted  was  yellow  and  musty  with 
age.  His  calculations  were  from  Las  Papas  as  a 
center.  In  present  day  reckoning  the  radius  extended 
from  Clarendon  Heights  along  the  coast  to  Pesca- 
dero  Point;  then  to  Santa  Cruz  and  Point  Reyes. 
From  these  observations  the  first  surveys  were  made, 
and  it  was  from  these  markings  that  the  treaties  had 
been  negotiated  between  the  Monbas  and  the  Allan- 
tians  when  the  latter  colonists  first  came. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  107 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  ascertain  the  date  of  our  compu 
tations  and  measurements,"  said  Ben  Hu  Barabe. 
"  But  the  land  in  dispute  is  not  much,  at  any  rate.  If 
Eko  Tanga  insists  that  his  government  has  some  un 
settled  claim  against  the  Monbas,  I  am  willing  that 
thou  shouldst  decide  it,"  he  said  to  Yermah. 

"  The  difference  is  considerable  between  the  calcu 
lation  of  one  one-hundred  millionths  and  one  of  one- 
fifty  millionths.  And  there  is  a  variance  between 
The  Twins  and  Hotara  as  central  points,"  Yermah 
replied.  "  In  my  time  the  place  of  the  sun  in  the 
center  of  Tlamco  has  been  the  point  of  vantage. 
Computations  of  the  diameters  of  the  heavenly  hosts 
are  here  accurately  given." 

"  From  the  beginning  until  now,  the  Monbas  have 
reckoned  all  their  happenings  by  this  picture,"  said 
Ben  Hu  Barabe,  his  voice  again  showing  signs  of  irri 
tation.  "  It  is  held  in  our  inner  hearts  with  pro 
found  reverence,  and  it  is  a  vexation  of  spirit  to  have 
it  questioned.  Eko  Tanga  has  little  respect  for  the 
traditions  and  pride  of  the  mountain  people." 

"  The  high-priestess  Keroecia,  will  then  lend  us 
her  counsel,"  said  Yermah,  soothingly.  "  She  is  of 
the  blood  of  Ian,  but  she  loves  the  Monbas  well. 
Her  serene  countenance  confronts  us,"  he  added  has 
tily,  as  the  crowd  separated  to  make  room  for  the 
high-priestess  and  the  entire  party  from  the  gardens. 

Every  woman  knows  that  it  was  not  the  fresh  air, 
only,  which  gave  the  color  to  Keroecia's  cheek,  and 
made  her  eyes  sparkle  like  tiny  stars  as  she  permitted 
Yermah  to  conduct  her  to  a  seat  beside  him  under  the 
grand  canopy.  All  Tlamco  had  a  feeling  of  satis 
faction  in  the  manner  and  the  method  of  his  escort. 
Some  time  elapsed  before  either  could  sufficiently 


108  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

acknowledge  the  applause  spontaneously  given;  but 
when  the  Dorado  held  up  his  hand  commanding 
silence,  the  stillness  was  absolute. 

"  Comrades  and  friends,  a  difference  of  opinion 
exists  between  the  emissary  of  Ian,  Eko  Tanga,  and 
Ben  Hu  Barabe,  Chief  of  the  Monbas,  as  to  the  hered 
itary  rights  of  each  to  the  lands  now  held  by  the 
Azes.  Before  our  beloved  Tlamco  rested  among 
the  seven  hills,  there  were  wise  men  who  noted  the 
ways  of  the  sun,  and  his  attendants,  and  decreed  that 
thus  far,  and  no  farther  should  the  limits  extend. 
No  one  disputed  the  rights  of  the  Monbas.  They 
made  The  Twins  their  own,  and  no  one  murmured. 
Then  appeared  the  hordes  of  Ian.  They  came 
through  the  trackless  forest  of  the  Aleuts,  following 
the  warm  tide  southward.  The  snow-peaks  of  Elias, 
Tacoma,  and  Shasta  1  pointed  the  way  and  after 
many  days  they  came  to  the  end  of  the  Monbas  pos 


sessions." 


Among  the  Monbas  there  was  a  tempestuous  wave 
of  displeasure  against  the  revival  of  old  scores  and 
the  ill-will  was  as  heartily  returned  by  Eko  Tanga's 
attendants.  As  for  principles,  their  faces  effectually 
masked  the  feelings  while  they  gave  Yermah  their 
undivided  attention. 

"  Here  they  found  an  amicable  agreement  between 
these  brave  men  and  the  children  of  Atlantis,"  con 
tinued  Yermah,  conscious  of  the  under-current  of 
feeling.  "  It  makes  my  heart  glad  to  tell  how  the 
Azes  and  the  Monbas  have  always  been  friends." 

"  Haille  I  Haille !  "  shouted  his  hearers,  with 
one  voice.  "Haille!  Haille i  " 

Satisfied  that  the  ebullition  of  temper  had  safely 
1  Modern  names  are  preferably  employed. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  109 

spent  itself,  the  Dorado  boldly  stated  the  point  in 
dispute. 

"  It  pleased  the  leaders  of  the  Azes  to  erect  a  new 
city  on  the  ruins  of  an  old  abandoned  temple  site, 
and  they  re-surveyed  the  vicinity  from  Mount  Ho- 
tara.  Like  the  Monbas  sages,  they  had  counsel  of 
the  heavenly  bodies,  and  found  the  degree  of  proph 
ecy  fulfilled  in  the  markings.  It  were  a  wearisome 
task  to  hear  all  of  the  things  done  at  that  time,  but 
the  Monbas  and  the  Azes  feel  that  they  were  well 
done." 

Again  the  unspoken  words  reached  his  ears  and 
the  upturned  faces  before  him  beamed  with  satisfac 
tion. 

"  The  Monbas  reckoned  from  The  Twins  to  a 
smaller  scale,  but  they  took  cognizance  of  the  stars. 
Time  has  altered  the  bearings;  but  truth  was  in  the 
beginning  and  must  prevail  in  the  end.  Due  allow 
ance  was  then  made  for  the  failure  of  agreement  be 
tween  the  new  and  the  old  reckonings,  and  for  the 
difference  in  the  point  of  view.  The  treaty  follow 
ing,  whereby  the  Monbas  gave  eternal  consent  to  the 
designs  of  the  Azes,  has  been  a  source  of  joy  to  the 
Azes  always." 

"  And  to  us,"  assented  the  Monbas,  with  a  clam 
orous  noise. 

"  Our  friend  and  brother,  Eko  Tanga,"  continued 
Yermah,  bowing  to  the  lans  as  he  spoke,  "  comes  with 
a  claim  against  the  decision  of  our  ancestors.  He 
denies  the  right  of  the  Monbas  to  cede  land  to  the 
Azes,  since  the  Monbas  came  under  allegiance  to 
Ian,  after  the  treaty  was  promulgated,  and  before  the 
solemn  covenant  had  record.  The  patient  skill  and 
industry  of  Atlantis  has  made  this  a  garden  spot, 


110 


and  the  lans  desire  recognition  of  their  preten- 
tions. 

"  The  murmurings  of  the  Monbas  have  softened 
the  hearts  of  the  lans,  and  their  king  decrees  that 
the  Monbas  shall  be  free  from  tribute  and  have  do 
minion  over  the  land  claimed  by  them,  provided  they 
will  release  the  princess  and  the  high-priestess  Ke- 
rcecia  from  bondage." 

Here  the  Monbas  laughed  derisively.  Even 
Keroecia  smiled. 

"  It  were  unseemly  of  the  Azes  to  interrupt  their 
Servitor,"  said  Orondo,  sternly,  as  he  sprang  to  his 
feet  and  faced  his  people  determinedly.  The  re 
buke  did  not  fail  of  effect. 

The  undulating  walls  in  different  portions  of 
Tlamco  represented  the  gyrations  of  the  cosmic  ser 
pent,  which  is  matter,  and  quaintly  sets  forth  man's 
incomings  to,  and  out-goings  from,  material  life.  On 
a  grand  scale,  the  three  points  symbolized  man's  re 
demption  by  harmonizing  the  three  planes  of  exist 
ence.  Religious  sentiment,  as  well  as  race  prejudice, 
had  something  to  do  with  the  hostile  feeling  preva 
lent  in  the  factions. 

"  Sufficient  purses  have  been  exchanged  to  make 
trade  even,  but  the  boundaries  still  lie  in  dispute," 
continued  Yermah. 

"Will  the  Dorado  and  these  people  hear  me?" 
asked  Eko  Tanga,  moved  to  speech. 

"  The  safeguards  of  courtesy  may  be  trusted  thus 
far,"  quickly  responded  Yermah.  "  Apply  thine  ear 
faithfully  that  thou  mayst  comprehend  the  truth,"  he 
added,  as  he  sat  on  a  level  with  Keroecia. 

"  A  matter  deserving  close  attention  is  the  cor 
rection  of  the  hazy,  indistinct  records  by  which  cer- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  111 

tain  lands  are  ceded,"  declared  Eko  Tanga.  "  The 
increase  in  learning  makes  the  measurements  legiti 
mately  subject  to  inquiry,  and  I  crave  assistance  from 
the  wise  men  here  assembled.  All  Tlamco  reckons 
from  its  center,  and  observes  the  present  houses  of 
the  firmament  for  confirmation.  By  careful  estimate, 
there  is  yet  some  favor  due  my  master  from  the 
Monbas.  A  covenant  to  remain  south  of  Elias's 
cone  is  all  that  the  king  desires.  He  is  content  to 
forego  tribute  or  war  service  below  this  mountain." 

It  was  plain  that  there  were  voices  in  the  multitude 
which  favored  the  lans.  It  was  known  that  the 
Monbas  originally  came  from  Ian,  and  loyalty  to 
fatherland  was  a  sterling  virtue  of  the  Azes. 

Setos,  quick  to  turn  an  advantage  to  himself,  came 
forward  and  claimed  a  hearing. 

"  The  sacred  traditions  of  past  times,"  he  said, 
"  lie  deep  in  the  hearts  of  the  faithful,  but  justice  de 
mands  much  for  posterity.  The  future  is  best  served 
by  full  recognition  of  Monbas  independence ;  they,  in 
turn,  must  acquit  themselves  with  honor.  No  man 
among  the  Azes  desires  to  keep  that  which  is  not 
fairly  won." 

"  Dost  thou  dare  to  accuse  us  of  unfairness  ?  "  cried 
Ben  Hu  Barabe,  rising  hastily. 

"  The  lans  have  long  discoursed  against  the  award 
of  land  made  by  us  to  the  Azes.  Much  travail  of 
spirit  has  befallen  us  because  of  our  pledges  to 
thy  ancestry.  Fie  upon  thee,  for  an  ingrate !  "  he 
continued,  hotly. 

Yermah  and  Akaza  were  on  their  feet  in  an  in 
stant. 

"  Setos  had  spoken  without  consideration,"  said 
Akaza,  mildly.  "  No  possible  import  of  unfairness 


112  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

is  due  to  either  party  here.  The  measurements  are 
the  only  questions  to  consider.  Now,  as  of  old,  the 
digit,  the  palm  of  the  hand,  the  face,  and  the  cubit 
are  the  only  means  of  reckoning.  The  first  joint 
of  the  finger  is  no  longer;  the  middle  of  the  palm  no 
wider;  the  cubit  from  finger  to  elbow  is  the  same. 
But  the  stars  have  changed  their  courses;  even  the 
zodiac  has  slipped  its  leashes.  Man  may  profit  by 
such  example.  Have  done  with  this  useless  turmoil. 
Let  the  Ian  have  his  due,  and  let  the  high-priestess 
Keroecia,  loose  her  own  bonds." 

When  he  ceased  speaking,  the  silence  was  intense. 

"  For  this  did  I  beseech  thy  presence,"  said  Yer- 
mah,  aside  to  the  agitated  princess. 

"  We  love  the  priestess  Keroecia,  and  we  will  obey 
her,"  said  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  simply. 

;'  The  royal  father  and  mother  of  the  princess 
mourn  continually.  They  beg  and  implore  that  she 
may  be  the  light  of  their  declining  years.  All  Ian 
awaits  an  answer;  and  for  that  country  I  agree  to 
abide  by  thy  decision."  Eko  Tanga  bowed  toward 
Keroecia,  appealingly. 

Striving  to  govern  her  emotion,  Keroecia  put  out  a 
trembling  hand  to  Yermah,  and  suffered  herself  to  be 
led  forward  where  she  could  be  both  seen  and  heard. 
She  buried  her  face  in  her  hands  for  a  moment,  then 
lifted  it  pale  and  stricken,  but  resolute. 

"  My  comrades  and  my  countrymen,  duty  oppresses 
my  heart  profoundly.  That  I  do  love  and  honor 
these  who  gave  me  life  need  not  be  affirmed.  All 
that  my  father  demands,  I  hereby  pledge  the  Monbas 
to  render.  For  myself  there  is  no  peace  apart  from 
the  duty  I  owe  these  children  of  the  forest.  They 
look  to  me  for  spiritual  guidance,  and  I  will  not 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  113 

leave  them."  Her  voice  faltered,  and  she  seemed 
ready  to  faint. 

In  the  interim  of  silence,  Eko  Tanga  said:  "  So  be 
it!  So  be  it!" 

"  Tell  my  beloved  father  that  I  can  best  serve  him 
here;  and  that  as  proof  of  my  devotion,  I  pledge 
my  people  to  lasting  peace.  Hast  thou  the  treaty  in 
readiness?  " 

She  made  no  pretense  of  reading  its  provisions, 
but  turned  to  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  and  said  authorita 
tively  :  "  Sign  1" 

He  readily  affixed  his  signature.  Eko  Tanga  fol 
lowed,  and  then  Yermah  made  use  of  the  high-set 
signet  on  his  thumb. 

And  this  was  the  beginning  of  the  end. 


IT  was  fully  ten  o'clock  before  Keroecia,  attended 
entirely  by  women,  finally  made  her  appearance. 
She  drove  a  splendid  team  of  woodland  caribou, 
harnessed  to  her  traveling  cart  now  made  gay  with 
bunting  and  flowers.  There  were  tiny  nosegays  tied 
to  the  palmated  antlers  sweeping  back  over  the  long, 
shaggy  bodies.  The  ribbons  were  threaded  from 
one  wide  expanse  to  its  fellow  on  the  opposite  side, 
and  even  to  the  bez-tynes  coming  down  between  the 
eyes  and  spreading  protectingly  over  the  elongated 
beak-like  nose. 

The  snap  and  click  of  the  spreading  false  hoofs  of 
the  caribou  announced  the  advent  of  the  party. 
Rahula  and  Ildiko  stood  on  each  side  of  Keroecia, 
while  Alcyesta,  Suravia  and  Mineola  balanced  them 
selves  by  placing  their  hands  on  the  shoulders  in  front 
of  them. 

Matu,  Saphis  and  Phoda,  the  three  caribou,  were 
a  perfect  match  in  color,  size  and  gait.  The  animals 
stood  over  three  feet  high  with  very  wide  and  many 
tyned,  spreading  antlers.  Matu,  who  was  driven  in 
the  lead  had  a  short  shaggy  mane  of  grayish  white 
which  lightened  his  reddish-brown  coat,  his  four  feet 
being  evenly  marked  by  the  same  white  band.  The 
strong  necks,  knee-joints  and  short  muscular  legs  were 
built  for  strength  and  these  roadsters  handily  trotted 

114. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  115 

past  the  barking  dogs  in  the  streets  and  on  the  high 
ways.  Their  big  eyes  had  nothing  of  the  gazelle 
quality  in  them,  but  were  alert,  and  the  short  lily-cup 
ear  heard  acutely,  while  the  sense  of  smell  was  their 
finest  quality. 

If  it  were  possible  to  imagine  hilarity  in  a  counte 
nance  so  long  drawn  out  and  preternaturally  grave,  it 
may  be  said  that  these  sagacious  animals  enjoyed 
showing  their  heels  too,  and  dusting  everything  en 
countered  on  the  road.  Or,  it  may  have  been  that 
they  were  envious  of  the  burros  with  their  bulging 
sides,  dodging  out  of  their  way  as  they  flew  by. 

A  word  and  a  sudden  checking  of  the  reins  fastened 
to  the  nose,  brought  the  team  to  a  stand-still  in  front 
of  a  basketry.  Here  the  party  alighted  and  Keroecia 
caressed  her  roadsters,  giving  each  one  a  cake  of  salt, 
and  scratching  its  nose  affectionately.  They  mani 
fested  pleasure  in  their  own  special  fashion,  and  suf 
fered  themselves  to  be  coaxed  away  by  a  bundle  of 
dry  moss. 

Inside  the  building  were  girls  assorting  thick  pack 
ages  of  willow  wands,  and  long  stemmed,  wiry 
grasses  as  well  as  splits  of  palms. 

Keroecia's  eyes  lit  up  as  she  recognized  some  of 
her  favorite  weaves.  Bending  over  a  young  girl  she 
took  the  work  from  her  hands  and  began  explaining 
an  intricate  decoration. 

"  Fifteen  stitches  to  the  digit  is  not  fine  enough 
for  this  acorn  pattern,  twenty-eight  will  serve  thee 
better.  Where  the  point  of  the  acorn  cuts  off 
here,  a  bottom  must  be  put  in  to  give  it  standing 
power." 

When  the  coil  was  properly  started  in  stitch  and 
pattern,  she  picked  up  a  handful  of  grass  soaking  in  a 


116  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

shallow  basket  basin  near  by,  and  dexterously 
fashioned  a  tiny  acorn,  perfect  in  color  and  shape. 

"  Use  this  for  a  handle  on  the  acorn  cup  suitable 
to  cover  this  basket,"  she  said. 

To  the  delighted  exclamations  of  thanks,  she  re 
plied: 

"  May  a  good  husband  and  sweet  children  grace 
thy  home  and  bless  thee  with  loving  kindness." 

The  shamaness  of  the  basket  guild  withdrew  from 
a  coil  she  had  been  weaving  a  priceless  heirloom, 
inherited  from  her  great-great-grandmother.  This 
proved  to  be  a  long  needle  made  from  the  wing-bone 
of  a  hawk  and  was  believed  to  be  an  amulet  of  good 
luck. 

"  Will  the  high-priestess  honor  and  make  me  happy 
by  accepting  this  little  token?  She  who  uses  it  will 
have  the  blessing  of  the  whole  guild." 

Keroecia  took  the  polished  implement,  and 
motioned  one  of  her  tamanes  to  approach.  From 
his  hands  she  received  a  parcel  so  delicate  and  pre 
cious  that  it  was  protected  by  a  basket-covering  of 
unique  design.  When  she  disclosed  the  contents 
there  was  an  involuntary  exclamation  of  "  A — h 
—  !  "  from  all  the  curious  weavers  cognizant  of  it. 

"  Will  the  shamaness  make  me  happy  by  accepting 
this  example  of  my  handicraft?  I  have  worked  on  it 
three  years,"  she  said. 

The  gift  was  a  fancy  basket  covered  entirely  with 
red-headed  woodpeckers'  scalps,  among  which  were 
placed  at  intervals  many  hanging  loops  of  tiny  ir 
idescent  shells.  Around  the  rim  was  an  upright  row 
of  black  quails'  top-knots,  nodding  gayly. 

Presently,  a  representative  of  the  guild  brought 
forward  a  dice-table  top  made  in  anticipation  of  this 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  117 

visit.  It  was  a  round,  flat  tray,  ornamented  with 
dark-brown  water  lines  on  a  cream-white  ground. 
With  it  were  eight  acorn-shaped  dice,  inlaid  with 
abalone  shell  and  some  richly  carved  ivory  sticks 
with  which  to  keep  tally.  The  acorn  shells  had  first 
been  filled  with  pitch,  and  when  hardened  cleverly 
inlaid  with  abalone.  Cradle  and  burden  baskets  used 
for  storing  grain  differed  in  no  wise  from  the  weaves 
of  the  Monbas. 

Row  after  row  of  every  imaginable  stitch  and 
material  filled  the  roomy  building.  Keroecia  was  re 
spectful  in  her  attention  to  the  workers  but  she  for 
bore  a  longer  interruption  of  the  general  trend  of 
the  work. 

Into  the  pueblo,  set  apart  for  the  pottery,  one 
might  with  profit  follow,  or  linger  over  the  looms  of 
the  rug  and  blanket  weavers,  as  Keroecia  did.  But 
it  is  fair  to  suppose  that  modern  eyes  are  familiar 
with  the  striking  peculiarities  of  the  Daghestan  rugs 
and  Navajo  blankets,  the  stitches  of  one  being 
familiar  to  the  descendants  of  Keroecia's  forebears, 
while  the  Navajo  Indians  have  preserved  the  secret 
of  the  other.  One  is  characteristic  of  native  Orien 
tal  invention,  the  other  of  native  American. 

"  There  is  need  of  haste  in  returning,"  admonished 
Rahula,  as  the  women  climbed  back  into  the  car  and 
started  cityward.  "  We  are  due  at  the  marketplace 


now. 
« 


Content  thyself.  The  caribou  is  an  excellent 
traveler,"  was  Keroecia's  assurance,  as  she  gathered 
up  the  reins  and  shook  the  many  stranded  whip  over 
the  horns  of  her  team.  They  started  forward  with 
the  easy  stride  common  to  the  elk  family,  and  were 
not  long  in  clearing  a  passage  way  through  the 


118  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

tamanes,  trotting  along  the  road  carrying  huge,  well- 
filled  baskets,  one  on  each  end  of  a  pole  slung  across 
the  shoulder.  Mingling  with  them  were  burros  so 
well  burdened  that  nothing  but  their  noses,  tails 
and  forefeet  were  visible. 

The  social  corner-stone  of  Tlamco  was  not  the 
family  but  the  clan.  Husband  and  wife  must  belong 
to  different  gentes,  and  the  children  claimed  descent 
from  the  mother.  The  spheres  of  the  sexes  were 
clearly  defined  but  manfully,  the  wife  being  the  com 
plete  owner  of  the  house  and  all  it  contained.  If  a 
mother,  she  was  not  required  to  perform  other  than 
household  duties.  Slovenliness  was  severely  pun 
ished  in  both  sexes,  and  so  was  idleness. 

At  no  time  was  the  life  of  the  ordinary  woman  of 
greater  hardship  than  is  that  of  the  wife  of  a  poor 
man  in  any  enlightened  or  so-called  Christian  country 
to-day.  Should  her  husband  ill-treat  her,  a  woman 
of  this  civilization  could  permanently  evict  him  from 
the  home.  The  husband  owned  the  crops  until  they 
were  housed,  and  then  the  wife  had  an  equal  voice 
in  their  distribution.  The  live  stock  was  his;  but 
there  was  an  unwritten  code  which  forbade  his  dis 
posing  of  it  without  consulting  his  wife. 

For  these  reasons,  certain  of  the  afternoon  hours  of 
each  day  were  set  apart,  in  the  market,  by  the  guilds, 
for  the  reception  of  the  women.  They  came  in  two 
sections,  and  took  turns,  so  that  each  guild  received  a 
weekly  visit.  It  was  to  head  a  procession  of  this 
kind,  visiting  the  bazaars  devoted  to  Monbas  handi 
work,  that  Keroecia  and  her  attendants  hurried 
through  the  streets. 

"  See  the  crowds  of  children,  the  priestesses  and 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  119 

the  women,"  said  Keroecia,  as  they  whirled  through 
a  circular  gateway  leading  to  the  bazaar. 

"  They  are  waiting  for  us,"  exclaimed  Ildiko,  with 
a  glow  of  satisfaction  and  self-importance.  "  Setos, 
the  wise  and  kind  father,  forgive  our  being  tardy," 
she  continued;  "  we  were  detained  on  such  loving  pre 
texts  as  befits  the  exalted  regard  felt  for  our  guests." 
She  gave  her  hand  to  Alcamayn  and  bounded 
lightly  to  the  ground. 

"  Shame  oppresses  me  sorely  for  having  kept  thee 
waiting,"  said  Keroecia,  as  she  suffered  Orondo  to 
assist  her. 

"  Thy  dalliance  was  slight,"  he  answered  gal 
lantly,  "  and  our  first  concern  is  for  thy  pleasure." 

"  Let  us  go  at  once,"  they  all  said. 

Each  one  picked  up  a  basket  of  flowers  and  fol 
lowed  Keroecia  and  Orondo. 

It  was  a  pretty  sight.  The  women  and  children 
filled  every  nook  and  corner  of  the  booths  with 
flowers  while  the  priestesses  swung  incense  up  and 
down  the  aisles  and  over  the  commodities.  The  men 
paid  their  guests  compliments,  plied  them  with 
sweet-meats  and  were  as  courteous  and  considerate 
as  the  occasion  demanded. 

Fathers  took  occasion  to  have  a  little  visit  with 
their  children;  husbands  and  wives  consulted  their 
mutual  interests;  while  lovers  contrived  to  exchange 
much  of  the  small  coin  of  affection,  openly,  inno 
cently  and  with  obvious  encouragement. 

Mingling  freely  with  the  crowd,  were  the  vestal 
virgins,  themselves  trained  by  Priestesses  of  the  Sun, 
in  charge  of  the  boys  and  girls  under  the  age  of 
twelve.  These  eager  little  bodies  were  allowed  to 


120  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

satisfy  their  curiosity.  The  vestals  tried  to  explain 
everything  coming  under  their  observation,  so  that 
the  visit  was  an  object  lesson  as  well  as  a  half-holi 
day. 

Groups  of  older  boys  came  attended  by  warrior- 
priests,  who  trained  them  in  the  art  of  warfare,  after 
which  they  were  apprenticed  to  the  various  guilds, 
and  taught  to  be  skilled  in  some  branch  of  industry. 
In  many  cases,  an  elder  brother  or  other  relative  was 
serving  an  apprenticeship  while  a  younger  boy  was 
still  studying  warfare.  Then,  there  was  a  pardon 
able  display  of  skill  and  knowledge  by  the  elder, 
which  did  not  fail  to  spur  the  ambition  of  the  younger. 

Both  sexes  were  allowed  to  study  picture  writing, 
music  or  oratory,  and  there  was  much  friendly 
rivalry  among  them. 

The  guild  awards  were  always  those  most  hotly 
contested.  In  this  category  were  prizes  for  cooking, 
weaving,  basketry,  pottery  and  the  care  of  the  sick, 
which  was  the  prerogative  of  the  women,  while  all 
the  industries  gave  encouragement  to  the  apprentice 
boys  in  their  charge. 


CHAPTER  TEN 

THE  FORTUNE  THAT  WAS  TOLD  WITH  TAROT  CARDS 

SETOS,  the  Dogberry  of  Tlamco,  lived  in  a 
pretentious  square  house  where  the  disused 
Laurel  Hill  Cemetery  is  now  located.  The 
house  was  gay  in  stucco  ornament  and  artistic  color 
ing.  The  surrounding  grounds  were  extensive,  and 
the  rambling  enclosure  was  altogether  the  most 
elaborate  private  establishment  in  the  city. 

Quick,  active,  energetic  and  scientific,  Setos  had, 
also,  the  cunning  of  a  schemer  and  the  ambition  of 
a  dictator.  In  stature,  he  was  short  and  pudgy,  with 
a  round,  fat  body  and  with  disproportionately  small 
extremities.  He  made  many  gestures  with  his  arms 
and  carried  his  straight  stiff  thumbs  downward.  His 
finger-nails  were  narrow,  indicating  obstinacy  and 
conceit,  while  his  thick  and  stubby  fingers  showed 
that  he  was  cruel  and  selfish.  Setos's  eyes  were 
small  and  gray. 

In  addition  to  long  ham-like  ears  was  a  nose  which 
was  a  cross  between  a  hook  and  a  beak.  The  thin 
lips  and  square  jaws  completed  a  countenance  which 
reflected  a  bold  and  uncertain  temper.  The  man 
had  a  nervous  habit  of  clasping  his  coarse,  fat  hands, 
especially  when  excited  or  over-anxious.  Withal,  he 
was  inordinately  vain,  not  of  his  good  looks  certainly, 
but  of  his  achievements  —  and,  his  godliness. 


IftS  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Akaza  had  a  way  of  looking  straight  through 
Setos's  mean,  shabby  nature  which  mightily  irritated 
this  entirely  self-satisfied  man.  Setos  always  im 
agined  that  he  was  being  put  upon  in  the  civic 
councils,  and  he  was  determined  that  the  visitors 
should  imbibe  something  of  his  greatness  at  the 
fountain-head. 

It  did  not  require  much  diplomacy  nor  persuasion 
to  induce  Keroecia  to  pay  Ildiko  a  visit  before  leav 
ing  Tlamco. 

"  When  Eko  Tanga  says  farewell,  to-morrow," 
Setos  said  to  her,  "  it  will  save  thee  embarrassment 
to  spend  the  remaining  days  with  Ildiko.  It  would 
not  be  politic  to  take  thy  leave  at  the  same  time,  be 
cause  of  the  ill-concealed  distrust  between  the  Monbas 
and  Eko  Tanga.  Shouldst  thou  go  immediately 
after,  it  would  be  discourteous  to  the  government  of 
Ian.  Let  me  urge  thee  strongly  to  continue  here 
for  a  time." 

"  Give  me  leave  to  add  my  prayer  to  thine,  father," 
said  Ildiko,  quick  to  see  the  importance  of  the  move 
to  herself.  With  Keroecia  as  her  guest,  she  would 
have  the  eyes  of  the  whole  city  on  her  for  a  time. 
"  Rahula  do  persuade  our  friends  to  make  us  happy," 
she  concluded  with  a  pretty,  affected  lisp. 

"  I  am  wholly  in  thy  hands,"  responded  Keroecia. 
"  Thy  request  lines  with  my  desires.  I  am  weary  of 
public  function.  Besides,  I  am  enslaved  by  curiosity 
concerning  thy  mode  of  living.  Thou  art  not  of  the 
Azes." 

"  Rightly  spoken,"  said  Ildiko.  "  Thou  art  justi 
fied  in  seeking  to  know  the  domestic  habits  of 
Tlamco.  It  is  not  granted  me  to  read  signs  like 
Rahula,  but  I  can  see  the  drift  already." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  123 

There  was  nothing  malicious  in  Ildiko.  Keroecia 
colored  quickly,  but  made  no  reply. 

"  Who  knows  but  that  I  had  ulterior  motives  in 
asking  the  fair  lady  to  remain  with  us?  "  said  Setos, 
pompously.  "  I  hope  for  a  son-in-law,  some  day, 
and  Ben  Hu  Barabe  is  entirely  to  my  liking." 

Ildiko,  frivolous  and  vain,  never  doubted  that  she 
had  made  an  impression  in  that  quarter.  A  keen 
eye  would  have  detected  the  sudden  pallor  of  Al- 
cyesta  and  the  protective  movement  of  Keroecia. 
Self-centered  Setos  did  not  look  at  Rahula;  there 
fore,  he  did  not  see  the  swift,  half-fearful  glance 
she  gave  Alcamayn,  nor  did  he  note  the  suppressed 
excitement  of  Orondo. 

Keroecia  understood  that  the  official  character  of 
her  visit  was  at  an  end,  and  she  experienced  a  feel 
ing  of  relief.  Setos  anticipated  this.  He  knew  that 
the  commercial  benefits  to  be  derived  from  a  closer 
association  of  the  two  people  were  yet  unrealized, 
and  he  did  not  intend  to  lose  an  opportunity  to 
profit  by  the  situation. 

Will  it  jar  on  the  sensibilities  to  discover  that  Setos 
took  advantage  of,  and  swindled  the  Monbas  in 
every  transaction  following?  He  did  this  in  order 
to  make  a  reputation  for  zeal  and  shrewdness  among 
his  fellow  council-men. 

It  was  Friday,  the  day  of  the  bath,  and  not  long 
before  the  time  appointed  for  the  departure  of  the 
high-priestess.  Ildiko,  Alcyesta,  Mineola  and 
Keroecia  were  taking  a  siesta  while  deft-fingered  maids 
brushed  the  hair  spread  out  over  their  shoulders  to 
dry  after  hammam  and  massage.  They  were  seated 
on  cushions  piled  on  the  still  heated  flagging,  near 
the  play  of  a  perfumed  spray.  Their  finger  tips, 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


nails  and  palms  had  been  beautified,  and  the  flat-iron 
shaped  pumice-stone  rubber  had  been  industriously 
applied  to  the  bottom  of  the  feet,  until  each  one  was 
as  soft  and  pliant  as  a  baby's  untried  sole.  Long 
loose-fitting  robes  tied  at  the  waist  with  striped  silk, 
were  the  only  garments  worn. 

The  bathers  regaled  themselves  with  an  ice-cream 
water-melon,  which  had  been  buried  in  an  artificial 
snow-bank  since  early  morning.  Setos  knew  how  to 
manufacture  ice,  but  he  preferred  to  follow  the 
custom,  long  prevalent  in  Tlamco,  of  packing  the 
snow  in  winter  and  bringing  it  down  from  the  moun 
tains  as  needed  for  daily  use.  A  water  jar  made  of 
porous  clay,  and  completely  covered  by  a  fine  growth 
of  timothy  grass  had  been  filled  with  mead  and  hung 
in  a  window  where  a  draught  of  air  played  upon  it. 
The  Azes  believed  that  a  turquoise  prevented  con 
tagion,  and  that  an  emerald  had  the  quality  to  purify 
water;  so,  the  patera  drinking-cups  of  silver  pro 
vided  were  ornamented  with  them. 

"  It  nears  the  fourth  hour  since  we  commenced  our 
bath,"  commented  Keroecia,  helping  herself  to  a 
drink  from  the  ewer.  "  We  have  talked  about 
everything  I  know.  Now,  what  shall  we  do?  " 

The  daintily  carved  orange-wood  spoon  in  the  hand 
of  each  listener  was  hastily  returned  to  the  yellow 
flesh  of  the  melon,  freckled  with  black  seeds,  and 
three  pairs  of  eager  eyes  focused  on  the  speaker. 

"  I  will  tell  thee  what  I  should  like  to  do,"  cried 
Ildiko.  "  I  should  like  to  talk  about  love.  I  intend 
to  marry  within  a  year." 

"O  —  h,  dost  thou?"  they  all  exclaimed,  in  a 
breath.  "  Hast  thou  decreed  who  shall  be  party  to 
this  resolve?  " 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  125 

"  Yes  —  and  no.  In  Atlantis,  the  parents  often 
select  a  husband  or  wife  for  their  children.  But  one 
is  not  compelled  to  accept  their  choice,"  she  an 
swered. 

"Has  a  selection  been  made  for  thee?"  queried 
Alcyesta. 

"  Yes.  My  father  and  Rahula  have  partly  agreed 
that  I  am  to  marry  Alcamayn." 

"  Oh !  Ho  1  "  was  all  that  could  be  distinguished, 
as  the  wooden  plates  were  quickly  set  aside,  and  a 
general  readjustment  of  cushions  closed  in  around 
Ildiko. 

"  I  am  not  sure  that  I  am  pleased,"  that  young  lady 
went  on  to  say.  "  I  would  rather  select  my  hus 
band  myself." 

"  No  one  of  our  tribe  can  do  that,  except  our 
high-priestess,"  rejoined  Alcyesta.  "  Does  thy  re 
ligion  allow  thy  priestess  such  liberty?" 

"  Truly  not.  Our  priestesses  may  marry  if  some 
one  asks  them,  but  they  cannot  help  themselves.  Oh, 
that  I  were  a  Monbas  high-priestess !  " 

"  What  wouldst  thou  do?  "  asked  Keroecia,  with  a 
smile,  while  Alcyesta  did  not  seem  to  breathe. 

"  I  would  propose  to  thy  Chancellor,  Ben  Hu 
Barabe,"  she  averred. 

"  Ben  Hu  Barabe  is  already  betrothed,"  replied 
Keroecia.  "  He  will  espouse  my  beloved  Alcyesta, 
when  we  return  home." 

"  How  fortunate  thou  art !  "  said  Ildiko  to  Al 
cyesta,  but  slightly  abashed.  "  I  can  always  marry 
Alcamayn.  I  should  be  puzzled  to  know  what 
to  do  in  thy  case,"  she  continued,  addressing  Ker 
oecia. 

"  I  fail  to  see  why,"  answered  the  priestess. 


126  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  There  is  more  than  one  among  the  Azes  and 
Atlantians  who  would  speak  if  he  dared." 

Keroecia  blushed  and  looked  confused.  Alcyesta 
and  Mineola  asked  in  a  breath: 

"Who  are  they?" 

"  Use  thine  eyes  and  find  out,"  replied  Ildiko. 
"  We  have  only  one  marking  of  the  sun-dial  for 
beauty  sleep.  Then  we  must  array  ourselves  be 
comingly  for  the  sake  of  Orondo,  Alcamayn,  Hana- 
busa  and  Ben  Hu  Barabe  who  arrive  at  the  dinner 
hour." 

The  high-priestess  had  arisen  in  the  meantime. 

"  Not  a  wink  of  sleep  to  put  a  little  rose  in  thy 
cheeks  and  add  diamond  sparkles  to  thine  eyes?" 
chattered  Ildiko. 

"  Not  this  time,"  declared  Keroecia.  "  I  must 
away  at  once  as  I  have  promised  early  audience  to 
one  of  our  friends." 

"  May  the  assurances  he  brings  thee  be  good  and 
comforting,"  murmured  Ildiko,  already  half-asleep. 

"  May  the  Lord  of  the  Lapse  of  Time  enfold  thee 
completely,"  answered  Keroecia,  with  a  careless  nod, 
as  she  passed  out  of  the  chamber. 

Orondo  usually  stood  with  his  right  foot  forward, 
as  if  on  guard,  his  broad,  powerful  shoulders  thrown 
back,  and  his  chest  well  out.  In  civilian's  dress,  he 
wore  an  agate-headed  serpent  of  scarlet  leather 
around  his  head.  On  his  neck  was  a  gorget  of 
leather  set  with  gold  bosses,  from  which  hung  a  long, 
black  cloak,  bordered  with  fur.  He  had  on  a 
short  apron-like  skirt  of  leather,  with  a  triple  row  of 
gold  bosses  around  the  bottom,  and  edged  with  a 
heavy  leather  fringe. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  127 

Wrinkled  leather  buckskins  and  gold-bossed 
sandals  completed  his  costume. 

Wearing  no  beard,  his  straight  black  hair  fell 
well  down  over  his  shoulders.  He  was  a  patient, 
faithful  worker,  self-reliant,  reserved,  proud,  firm  in 
friendship,  but  an  unrelenting  foe.  Slow  to  anger, 
he  was  like  a  bull  when  aroused. . 

Orondo's  voice  in  speech  and  song  was  mellow  and 
agreeable.  A  countenance  that  glowed  with  anima 
tion,  added  much  to  his  dauntless  appearance.  It 
was  not  like  him  to  parley  or  waste  time  in  useless 
subterfuge;  but  whatever  he  attempted  he  went 
straight  about.  So,  desiring  to  consult  Yermah,  he 
marched  into  his  presence  without  any  preliminaries. 

Noting  his  perturbed  manner,  the  Dorado  laid 
down  a  brush-pen  he  was  using,  and  said: 

"  Something  has  interrupted  the  even  tenor  of  thy 
well-ordered  life,  Orondo.  Can  I  serve  thee?" 

There  were  curious  white  and  red  lines  on  the 
swarthy  face,  and  the  features  looked  pinched  and 
drawn.  He  was  exceedingly  quiet,  but  there  was  an 
unusual  brilliancy  in  the  piercing  black  eyes. 

"  I  have  come  to  ask  thy  advice  and  blessing  in  a 
matter  of  great  import  to  me,"  he  finally  answered. 
"  The  point  of  superior  years  counts  but  little  be 
tween  us;  but  thou  art  my  chief,  and  I  love  thee 
well." 

"  Of  that  I  am  fully  assured.  My  blessing  and 
good  wishes  thou  hast  only  to  command.  Give  me 
to  see  the  matter  lying  deep  in  thy  heart,  that  I  may 
judge  for  thee,"  replied  Yermah,  fully  aware  that  a 
crisis  of  some  kind  was  at  hand. 

"  Duty  demands  that  I  render  strict  obedience  to 
my  superiors,  of  whom  thou  art  one,  and  the  com- 


128  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

mand  is  that  I  shall  take  a  wife  from  the  native 
women  of  this  country." 

"  I  had  feared  from  the  ominous  import  of  thy 
manner  that  some  dark  deed  touching  the  honor  of 
the  state  oppressed  thy  knowledge,"  quickly  re 
sponded  Yermah,  a  feeling  of  relief  giving  place  to 
his  uncomfortable  apprehension.  "  This  is  a  more 
simple  matter." 

"  Not  without  thy  consent.  My  heart  rebels  at 
the  thought  of  a  wife  among  the  Azes,"  answered 
Orondo,  gravely. 

"Then  why  mis-use  desire?  There  is  time 
enough.  Thou  hast  fewer  years  than  I.  Let  thy 
better  parts  speak,  then  come  to  me,"  said  Yermah, 
rising. 

"  This  situation  confronts  me,"  said  Orondo,  with 
agitation. 

"  Unmask  thy  feeling.  I  am  not  fully  in  confi 
dence.  Thou  bemoanest  the  mandate  to  wed  a 
native,  yet  affirm  thy  inner  soul  bespeaks  its  mate," 
replied  Yermah,  shaking  his  head  and  looking  per 
plexed. 

"  She  whom  I  adore  is  the  high-priestess  of  the 
Monbas,"  said  Orondo,  scarcely  above  a  whisper. 

Yermah  dropped  into  his  seat  as  if  he  had  been 
shot,  and  put  his  hands  before  his  face  as  if  to  ward 
off  a  blow.  Orondo,  too  much  wrought  up  to  detect 
feeling  in  another,  asked  eagerly: 

"  Thou  wilt  grant  me  permission  to  woo  her,  and  if 
I  win,  wilt  bless  our  union?  " 

"  My  vow  to  the  Brotherhood  forbids  any  other 
course.  Go,  go  now,  with  my  blessing,  Orondo," 
Yermah  managed  to  say. 

"  May  the  Master  of  the  Radiance  shower  thee 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  129 

richly,"  murmured  his  auditor,  as  he  stumblingly 
found  his  way  out. 

Yermah  sat  like  a  man  stunned.  For  the  first  time 
in  his  life  he  drank  deeply  and  long  at  the  fountain 
of  pain. 

Orondo  walked  like  one  in  a  dream.  He  was  in  an 
exalted  frame  of  mind,  and  seemed  to  be  carried  on 
the  wings  of  the  wind  toward  the  house  occupied  by 
Rahula.  He  had  won  his  first  victory.  He  had  per 
mission  from  his  civil  chief.  Now  he  would  consult 
the  unseen  forces ;  then,  he  would  learn  his  fate  from 
the  lips  of  his  beloved.  Hope  was  holding  high 
carnival,  and  singing  a  merry  tune  in  his  ear,  as  he 
approached  the  door  of  the  "  Divination  Room,"  in 
the  center  of  the  square  building. 

"  An  humble  applicant  stands  at  thy  door,  Rahula," 
called  Orondo;  "  one  who  begs  that  thou  wilt  open 
to  him  the  secrets  of  his  destiny." 

"  Upon  what  pretext  dost  thou  invoke  aid  of  the 
unseen  powers?  "  demanded  Rahula,  the  reader  of  the 
tarot  cards,  from  behind  a  heavy  tapestry  curtain. 
"  If  of  trivial  import,  begone  at  once !  I  will  not 
hear  thee." 

"  Life  and  love  are  the  subjects  of  my  longing," 
he  answered.  "  And  so  urgent  is  my  mission,  I 
would  fain  discharge  any  obligation  imposed  upon 
me." 

Suddenly  the  heavy  bronze  bolts  in  the  door  flew 
apart.  There  was  a  sliding,  grinding  sound  as  the 
entrance  was  cleared,  and  he  was  across  the  threshold 
of  the  most  noted  and  able  professional  fortune  and 
story  teller  of  that  day. 

"  Welcome,  Orondo.  Neither  pitch  nor  accent  be 
trayed  thee.  The  triplicity  of  mind,  heart,  and 


130  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

bodily  function  are  wholly  at  thy  service,"  said 
Rahula,  coming  forward  and  placing  both  hands  on 
the  upper  arms  of  her  visitor,  while  she  lightly 
brushed  his  forehead  with  her  lips.  He  in  turn 
kissed  the  back  and  palm  of  her  left  hand,  thus  ap 
pealing  directly  to  her  intuitional  powers. 

A  pair  of  bull-headed  and  eagle-winged  sphinxes 
guarded  the  north  and  south  side  of  the  square- 
topped  golden  tripod,  which  was  supported  by  twigs 
of  madrona  wood,  tipped  with  gold.  This  conse 
crated  table  occupied  the  middle  of  the  room ;  and  in 
the  mouths  of  the  sphinxes  were  hooks  from  which 
were  hung  perfumed,  jeweled  lamps. 

In  the  center  of  the  tripod  was  a  round  disk  com 
posed  of  various  metals  radiating  in  stripes.  On  the 
outer  edge  of  the  rim  were  twenty-four  hieroglyphs 
of  magic,  at  equal  distances  from  each  other.  A 
tiled  floor  liberally  spread  with  rugs  and  skins,  com 
pleted  the  furnishings,  save  a  duplicate  stool  of  black 
under-glaze  with  a  meander  in  white  around  it,  which 
served  as  a  seat  for  Rahula  on  the  opposite  side. 
The  ceiling  showed  twelve  radiations  in  the  folds  of 
colored  silk,  which  started  from  the  central  canopy 
and  ended  in  a  frieze  of  twenty-four  enlarged  hiero 
glyphs,  interlaced  in  a  dragonesque  meander.  Pom- 
peiian-red  tapestries  hung  on  the  walls,  relieved  by 
wise  sayings  painted  on  banners  of  silk  tissue,  which 
were  placed  at  intervals  in  perpendicular  strips. 

Rahula's  ample,  flowing  robes  were  of  purple  silk, 
with  a  circlet  of  jet  on  her  head,  and  a  girdle  of  the 
same  at  her  waist.  Around  her  neck  was  a  filigree 
gold  and  silver  collarette  fitting  close  to  the  skin. 
From  a  recess  in  the  wall  opposite  the  door  Rahula 
brought  forth  the  figure  of  a  youth,  a  young  calf, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  131 

a  lion,  an  eagle,  a  dragon,  and  a  dove.  These  were 
of  Atlantian  workmanship,  in  pure  gold  and  silver, 
curiously  blended,  the  feathers,  hair,  clothes  and 
scales  being  of  silver,  while  the  bodies  were  of  gold. 

She  placed  these  on  the  floor  on  either  side  of  her 
seat,  saying: 

"  Should  thy  quest  of  knowledge  pertain  to  a  wife, 
we  must  consult  the  dove,"  holding  the  figure  in  her 
hand  as  she  spoke. 

Orondo  bowed.  She  placed  the  dove  in  between 
the  sphinxes,  and  continued: 

"  If  children  crown  thy  life,  the  youth  must  be 
their  champion.  Shall  we  consult  him?" 

Again  Orondo  nodded,  and  the  statuette  was 
ranged  beside  the  dove. 

"  The  lion  has  power  and  authority  in  his  keeping. 
This  emblem  I  shall  choose  for  thee."  Saying  which 
she  stood  it  in  the  same  row. 

"  By  the  dragon  thou  shalt  know  thy  length  of 
days.  Does  the  outlook  satisfy  thy  desire?" 

"  Proceed,  Rahula,  and  mayst  thou  be  led  by  the 
guardian  of  the  circuit." 

The  sibyl  stood  facing  Orondo,  while  balancing  a 
plain  gold  ring  tied  with  a  thread  of  flax  over  the 
ball  of  her  left  thumb.  As  soon  as  the  string  was 
straight,  she  exclaimed : 

"  I  cry  unto  Thee  who  makest  time  run,  and  liest 
in  all  the  mysteries.  Hear  thy  servant !  " 

Slowly  the  ring  began  to  describe  a  tiny  circle. 
Then  it  swung  farther  and  farther  toward  Orondo, 
until  it  was  opposite. 

"  Propound  thy  question,  but  silently,"  said 
Rahula,  watching  the  ring,  intently. 

As  if  moved  by  some  hidden  power,  the  undula- 


132  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

ting  ring  answered  his  thoughts.  The  same  increase 
in  vibration  as  before,  finally  brought  the  ring  in  con 
tact  with  the  raised  rim  sufficiently  to  make  it  tinkle 
like  a  fairy  bell. 

"Aila  Kar!"  chanted  Rahula.  "Affirm  it  a 
third  time.  One-two-three !  "  and  the  ring  once  more 
hung  motionless  over  the  center  of  the  magic  plate. 

"  Thou  standest  faint-hearted  at  the  Temple  of 
Love  newly  erected  in  thy  heart,  Orondo,"  declared 
Rahula,  with  a  searching  glance. 

"  Yes.  And  I  fain  would  know  if  I  may  enter," 
said  he  simply. 

"  The  tarot  gives  us  wisdom  here,"  was  her  re 
ply,  as  she  returned  to  the  recess,  and  brought  a 
sandal-wood  box  filled  with  small  ivory  cards. 
When  she  drew  off  the  sliding  lid,  there  were  three 
packages,  two  of  which  she  placed  in  a  flattened  disk- 
shaped  basket  of  fine  weave,  which  divided  in  two. 
Each  side  was  furnished  with  a  ring  for  a  handle, 
and  when  she  had  unwound  the  linen  coverings  of 
the  cards,  she  closed  it. 

"  Hold  the  two  rings  firmly  and  shake  the  basket 
well,"  she  directed  her  visitor. 

The  third  package  contained  the  twenty-two  keys 
of  Divine  Wisdom,  and  these  Rahula  shuffled 
thoroughly,  keeping  a  square  of  fine  linen  over  her 
hands  in  the  process. 

At  the  four  cardinal  points  outside  the  metal  disk 
in  the  center  of  the  table  were :  on  the  north,  a  square 
of  inlaid  topazes;  on  the  east,  a  similar  setting  of 
emeralds;  on  the  south,  a  duplicate  of  sapphires; 
while  on  the  west  was  a  square  of  rubies.  From  each 
of  these  was  a  trine  —  numbered  for  the  yellow,  on 
the  yellow  disks,  2,  7,  12;  on  the  green,  on  disks  of 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  133 

green,  3,  8,  9;  for  the  blue,  on  blue  circles,  5,  4,  10; 
for  the  red,  on  red  disks,  i,  6,  n.  These  trines 
were  so  interlaced  that  the  rows  of  numerals  made 
an  outside  circle,  corresponding  to  the  signs  of  the 
zodiac. 

"  Lay  the  basket  on  the  metal  disk,"  commanded 
Rahula.  "  Then  I  will  open  the  book  of  fate  for 
thee."  Orondo  did  as  he  was  bidden.  Rahula 
emptied  the  ivories  into  her  lap,  and  quickly  ar 
ranged  the  cards  in  order,  face  upward,  without 
changing  their  relative  positions.  When  she  had 
taken  out  the  four  aces  (one  representing  a  blossom 
ing  rod  —  the  modern  clubs;  the  second,  a  royal 
chalice  —  the  modern  diamonds;  the  third,  a  sword 
piercing  a  crown  —  ace  of  swords ;  and  a  circle  in 
closing  a  lotus-flower  —  the  ace  of  cups),  she  handed 
them  to  Orondo,  and  told  him  to  shuffle  them  well. 

"  The  astral  key  to  arcane  knowledge  is  in  thy 
hands.  As  thou  valuest  happiness,  let  no  unclean 
thought  steal  in  and  pollute  the  fountain-head," 
solemnly  warned  the  reader  of  magic,  as  she  invoked 
the  genii  of  the  day  and  hour. 

The  signs  by  which  Orondo  sought  to  divine  the 
future,  are  found  to-day  in  the  scepter  of  Osiris,  long 
the  prerogative  of  kings  and  emperors.  The  pontif 
ical  staff,  the  eucharistic  chalice,  the  cross  and  Divine 
Host,  the  patera  cup  containing  the  manna,  and  the 
dish  of  offerings  were  borrowed  from  the  four  aces 
of  the  ancient  tarot  and  its  central  disk.  These  cards 
were  never  used  for  games  of  chance  or  for  amuse 
ment  but  always  for  purposes  of  divination,  and  they 
were  held  sacred. 

"  Now  place  the  ace  of  diamonds  -. — >  the   royal 


134  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

chalice  of  life  —  on  the  ruby  square,  which  corre 
sponds  to  the  principle  of  motion,  action,  and  will," 
directed  Rahula.  "  The  blossoming  rod  of  the  ace 
of  clubs  place  on  the  topaz  square,  which  is  the  trine 
of  power,  influence  and  right.  Then  cover  the 
emerald  square  with  the  ace  of  cups,  the  trine  of  love, 
service  and  favor.  Lastly,  cover  the  sapphires  with 
the  ace  of  swords,  which  pierces  the  crown  of  physical 
being,  the  trine  of  evil,  malice  and  death." 

When  the  four  squares  were  covered,  she  con 
tinued  : 

"•This  forms  the  quaternary  of  Life,  Power,  Love 
and  Affection.  Before  I  place  the  cards  on  these 
trines,  tell  me  what  color  best  pleases  thee." 

"  I  am  fond  of  red  —  and  blue,  also,"  returned 
Orondo. 

"  Then  thou  art  materialistic  and  passionate  on  the 
one  hand,  and  an  idealist  on  the  other.  This  will 
keep  thee  warring  with  self;  and  if  the  former  pre 
dominates,  will  tend  to  weaken  the  heart-action. 
What  flower  dost  thou  hold  sacred?  " 

"  The  delicate  flax-blossom  is  a  symbol  of  my 
love." 

"  And  by  this  token  thy  ideal  woman  must  be  con 
stant  in  conjugal  fidelity.  Excess  in  this  direction 
leads  to  jealousy,  the  very  epitome  of  selfishness. 
But  what  flower  dost  thou  love  for  its  own  sake?  " 

"  Myrtle,  sprig  and  blossom,  are  always  endeared 
to  me." 

"  Then  thou  hast  the  redeeming  grace  of  brotherly 
love.  Of  the  three  animals — the  horse,  the  dog, 
the  cat  —  which  dost  thou  like  the  best?" 

"  The  horse  first,  and  then  the  dog." 

"  Which  tells  me  that  thou  art  capable  of  a  noble, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  135 

affectionate,  and  faithful  friendship.  Trial  lies 
along  this  line.  Give  me  leave  to  judge  thy  an 
tipathies." 

"  Rats  and  mice  offend  me  much." 

"  Upright  and  fastidious,"  she  murmured.  "  Nor 
does  thy  frank  and  open  nature  warm  to  spiders,  nor 
thy  proud  spirit  willingly  tolerate  serpents." 

"  How  well  thou  readest  my  inner  thoughts  1  "  ex 
claimed  Orondo,  wonderingly.  "  Never  have  these 
sentiments  lent  action  to  my  tongue." 

"  In  dreamland  what  rich  spoils  assail  thy  vagrant 
will?" 

"  Happiness  and  joy  attend  my  sleeping  ventures." 

"A  sanguine  temperament,  normally  exercised  — 
a  personality  which  will  die  hard  in  the  living  man, 
and  one  which  is  liable  to  wreck  the  body." 

She  examined  both  of  his  hands,  minutely  — 
fingers,  palms  and  wrists.  Finally  she  said: 

"  To  three  separate  warnings  must  I  give  voice. 
The  heart  is  threatened  seriously  as  to  feeling  and 
action.  Sudden  and  tempestuous  jealousy  assail  thy 
future,  and  the  divine  spark  will  not  be  generous  as  to 
years.  So  much  for  thine  own  self.  As  to  outside 
entities  which  may  mingle  and  interweave,  the  tarot 
must  be  oracle." 

The  king  of  cups  represented  him  who  cultivated 
affection;  the  king  of  diamonds,  the  custodian  of 
wealth,  and  the  proper  distribution  of  it;  the  king  of 
swords,  the  inventions  and  skill  of  the  inquirer;  the 
king  of  clubs  was  the  significator  of  all  manual  labor. 
The  queens  were  the  wives,  actual  or  prospective,  in 
a  question  concerning  men.  They  were  the  person 
alities  of  the  woman  herself  in  a  feminine  inquiry. 
The  heralds  and  knaves  represented  religious  and 


136 


civic  power  respectively,  while  the  numbers  from  two 
to  ten  pertained  to  the  personalities. 

Orondo  watched  her  eagerly  while  she  placed  the 
cards,  face  downward  on  the  four  trines.  When  they 
were  all  in  position  she  turned  over  the  ace  of  dia 
monds,  on  the  western  cardinal  point  of  rubies,  and 
then  quickly  laid  those  on  numbers  i,  6,  II  — in  a 
row.  Beginning  with  number  i,  she  said: 

"  This  pertains  to  the  present  state  of  time  —  thy 
life  as  it  is  at  this  moment.  All  is  well  from  this 
point.  Number  6  is  exalted  and  grand,  as  the  in 
dividual  contacts  Deity.  But  in  number  1 1,  there  are 
adverse  conditions  —  I  can  see  neither  posterity  nor 
extended  continuation  here." 

"Posterity  holds  nothing  for  me?"  questioned 
Orondo,  concern  dominating  manner  and  voice. 

"  Not  as  the  matter  lies.  But  all  the  cards  are  in 
volved  in  the  final  reading.  Have  patience." 

She  next  placed  the  ace  of  clubs  on  the  northern 
point,  face  upward,  and  arranged  the  cards  on 
numbers  2,  7,  12  —  as  before.  Beginning  with 
number  2,  directly  above  the  ace,  she  said: 

"  This  is  the  place  of  power,  majesty  and  honor. 
In  such  conditions  thou  standest  well.  Thou  wilt 
govern  Tlamco  in  future  days.  A  change  of  place  is 
shown  by  the  covering  of  number  7.  Supreme  rule, 
however,  attends  it;  while  in  the  place  of  12,  merit 
and  acquired  skill  stand  worthy  sponsors  to  thy  de 


sires." 


On  the  eastern  point,  directly  in  front  of  Orondo, 
she  uncovered  the  emerald,  hidden  by  the  ace  of 
clubs,  and  proceeded  to  read  from  number  3  —  the 
place  of  love,  felicity,  agreement  and  delight.  What 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  137 

she  saw  there  was  so  adverse  that  she  quickly  turned 
over  the  cards,  marking  the  place  of  love  in  service, 
reception  and  bounty  in  which  she  found  some  en 
couragement.  Number  9,  the  place  of  favor,  help 
and  succor  were  in  exceeding  doubt. 

"  What  is  it?  "  queried  Orondo,  impressed  by  her 
manner. 

"  The  trine  of  love  is  much  assailed  by  disquieting 
import.  So,  I  pray  thee,  give  me  leave  to  consult 
the  throne  of  affliction  at  once,  that  the  whole  mat 
ter  may  stand  revealed." 

"  Thou  hast  my  full  consent,"  said  Orondo,  now 
intent  and  eager. 

"  Swords  fall  on  this  trine  of  opposition,  perse 
cution  and  punishment,"  exclaimed  Rahula.  "  This 
portent  quickens  fear.  Number  4,  the  place  of 
mighty  retribution,  is  not  free  from  evil  aspects. 
Treachery  is  thy  portion  in  number  5,  with  malice  at 
tendant,  while  number  10  gives  speedy  death.  Be 
not  wholly  convinced  by  this,"  she  entreated.  "  Suf 
fer  me  to  assail  the  doors  of  Divine  Wisdom,  sub 
stituting  the  twenty-two  keys  for  the  cards." 

She  scarcely  waited  for  Orondo's  nod  of  assent  be 
fore  she  had  swept  the  ivories  into  their  basket,  and 
was  busy  shuffling  and  placing  the  keys  around  the 
aces,  still  face  upward.  There  was  an  intense  silence 
as  she  hastily  placed  the  keys  on  the  numbers  —  first 
face  downward  in  trines,  and  then  the  reverse,  with 
the  outward  circle  completed  first.  She  read  from 
the  outward  ring  toward  the  center. 

"  Love  and  marriage  come  as  thy  portion,  but  not 
without  delay  and  much  suffering.  After  this,  the 
body  sleeps,"  she  said  in  conclusion. 


138  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  cool  brisk  wind  felt  refreshing  to  Orondo's 
fevered  cheeks  as  he  hurried  along  the  streets  flooded 
with  afternoon  sunlight.  The  every-day  common 
places  of  active  life  about  him  passed  unnoticed  in  the 
rapid  whirl  of  his  conflicting  emotions. 

"  Fancy  claims  me  for  her  own,"  he  thought. 
"  Surely  there  can  be  no  harm  in  obeying  such  sweet 
service  as  links  me  to  my  loved  one." 

Orondo  smiled  softly,  and  as  he  turned  into  the 
broad  avenue  leading  to  laqua,  his  serenity  was  fully 
reestablished.  He  went  to  his  own  apartments,  and 
spent  much  time  and  labor  over  his  toilet.  Finally, 
when  extract  and  oil,  brush  and  comb  had  done  full 
justice,  he  found  his  way  into  the  smoking-room, 
where  he  sought  quiet  for  his  nerves  in  the  narcotic  ef 
fect  of  a  chibouk.  Under  its  soothing  influence  he  in 
dulged  in  the  airiest  of  day-dreams.  As  the  ap 
pointed  hour  drew  near,  he  repaired  to  the  sanctuary, 
where  he  knelt  and  humbly  petitioned  Divine  Grace 
to  attend  his  venture. 

******* 

"  Father,"  said  Ildiko,  as  she  stood  with  Setos  in 
the  twilight  awaiting  their  dinner-guests,  "  make  no 
demand  for  light  early  to-night.  Some  unseemly  cir 
cumstance  oppresses  the  spirit  of  Keroecia.  She  has 
been  weeping." 

"  Yearning  for  her  own  may  weigh  her  down.  If 
so,  we  have  failed  to  make  our  welcome  speak  to  her 
heart.  In  this  we  must  be  more  vigilant.  H-s-h! 
Here  she  is,  attended!  " 

Scarcely  had  the  women  found  seats  when  the  voices 
of  Hanabusa,  Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Alcamayn  were 
heard  responding  to  Setos's  greetings  in  the  broad  en 
trance  hall. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  139 

"  Where  is  Orondo?  "  asked  Alcamayn,  as  he  came 
toward  Keroecia.  "  In  the  street  at  the  last  marking 
of  the  sun  I  had  speech  with  him,  intent  then  upon 
immediate  attendance  here." 

Keroecia  paled  visibly,  and  replied  with  difficulty: 

"  Orondo's  presence  has  lately  honored  me.  He 
begs  to  absent  himself  at  dinner,"  she  said,  turning  ap- 
pealingly  to  Setos. 

"  Affairs  of  urgent  moment  must  have  decided 
him.  His  convenience  and  wish  dictated  the  day 
and  hour  of  our  assemblage,"  rejoined  Setos.  "  May 
there  be  no  evil  import  behind  this  sudden  change." 

"  Has  the  Dorado  been  seen  to-day?  "  asked  Al 
camayn.  "  Twice  I  sought  him  on  matters  of  state, 
but  he  was  not  at  laqua." 

"  He  rowed  out  on  the  bay  at  an  early  gnomon, 
unattended,"  responded  Hanabusa.  "  Many  times 
I  hailed  him,  but  he  was  unmindful  of  my  presence." 

"  The  cares  of  his  office  sat  heavily  on  my  shoul 
ders  in  consequence,"  said  Setos,  with  a  show  of  as 
sumed  irritation. 

By  judicious  complaint  many  a  vain  soul  betrays  its 
self-importance.  Glancing  around  the  room,  to  see  if 
he  had  created  the  desired  impression,  Setos  suddenly 
bethought  him  of  Ildiko's  words.  He  bustled  about 
for  a  few  moments,  and  then  gave  escort  to  Keroecia 
who  was  glad  to  escape  to  the  dining-room. 


CHAPTER  ELEVEN 

A    REALIZATION    OF    LOVE    WHICH    BEGGARED    LAN 
GUAGE 

RONDO  returned  not  to  laqua  during  the 
night.  He  went  to  a  favorite  nook  in  the 
gardens,  the  same  he  had  taken  such  pride 
in  showing  to  Keroecia.  Here  he  went  over  the 
ground  again  step  by  step,  and  that  same  pride  lay 
in  the  dust  at  his  feet  grievously  wounded.  Trifles 
to  which  he  had  attached  peculiar  significance  now 
seemed  to  him  commonplace  politeness. 

Orondo  could  not  accuse  Keroecia  of  playing  with 
him.  She  had  been  openly  and  candidly  indifferent. 
Her  effort  to  shield  him,  her  kindness,  were  eloquent 
of  her  disinterested  friendship.  He  groaned  under 
her  sympathy,  but  he  was  not  without  capacity  to 
plan  a  course  of  action. 

The  first  watches  of  the  night  witnessed  his  wres 
tle  with  overwhelming  grief,  but  as  the  cool  morn 
ing  hours  came  on,  his  thoughts  turned  to  the  future. 
He  looked  forward  eagerly  to  his  departure  from 
Tlamco,  which  he  knew  from  the  beginning  he  must 
take.  Hope  led  him  to  believe  that  he  would  have  a 
companion  for  the  exile,  which  now  he  gratefully 
remembered  would  be  a  lonely  one.  He  sat  motion 
less  upon  the  curbing  which  bordered  the  artificial 
lake  near  the  perfume-beds,  utterly  oblivious  to  their 
refreshing  odors.  His  thoughts  were  so  painfully 

140 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  141 

centered  that  he  noted  neither  the  passing  hours  nor 
his  own  bodily  discomfort 

Finally,  habit  warned  him  that  dawn  was  ap 
proaching,  and  he  mechanically  roused  himself.  He 
knew,  without  conscious  effort,  that  he  must  greet  the 
rising  sun  with  composure;  therefore  he  tried  to 
rally  his  drooping  spirits.  Still  like  one  in  a  dream, 
he  removed  his  cloak  and  helmet,  then  washed  his 
hands  and  face  in  the  clear,  cool  water  of  the  lake. 
His  benumbed  and  stiffened  nether  limbs  protested 
painfully  against  his  essay  at  walking.  He  heeded 
them  not.  Instinct  led  him  in  the  direction  of  laqua. 

Yermah,  too,  had  passed  a  sleepless  night.  He 
spent  the  day  on  the  water,  floating  and  drifting  with 
the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  tide,  struggling  to  reconcile 
himself  with  the  conditions  confronting  him.  At 
night  he  came  back  to  laqua,  but  purposely  avoided 
meeting  Orondo.  Love  made  him  humble,  and  he 
did  not  for  a  moment  doubt  the  result  of  Orondo's 
wooing.  He  knew  that  his  countryman  was  a  lov 
able  man,  and  he  could  not  find  it  in  his  heart  to 
blame  Keroecia  for  accepting  him.  No  —  Orondo 
had  asked  his  consent  and  blessing;  he  must  be  will 
ing  to  give  it  with  all  his  heart. 

How  stern  and  forbidding  seemed  the  face  of 
duty !  How  hateful  the  precepts  of  honor !  Yer 
mah  censured  himself  unsparingly.  Many  times  as 
he  paced  the  apartments,  still  clad  as  he  came  from 
the  bay,  he  spoke  his  thoughts  aloud.  He  argued 
with  himself  long  and  earnestly. 

"  How  beautiful,  how  lovely  she  is !  "  Yermah 
exclaimed  for  the  hundredth  time.  But  he  was  sick 
with  the  thought  that  she  belonged  to  another.  He 
told  himself  that  he  would  rather  give  her  to  Orondo 


142  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

than  to  any  one  else.  But  why  should  she  not  have 
loved  him?  If  such  affection  had  blessed  his  life,  he 
would  hasten  his  appointed  task,  and  then  claim  his 
choice  for  a  wife  according  to  law  and  custom.  It 
would  be  only  a  few  months  to  wait.  Now  what 
difference  did  it  make?  Orondo  stood  in  his  place. 

How  unsatisfactory,  how  paltry  seemed  his  life 
work  and  aims!  How  completely  helpless  and  dis 
couraged  he  feltl  But  he  must  face  the  situation 
like  a  man.  With  the  rising  sun  Orondo  would 
come  with  a  beaming  countenance  to  recount  his  hap 
piness.  It  would  require  all  his  fortitude  to  do  and 
to  say  what  was  expected  of  him. 

Thinking  thus,  he  drew  aside  the  curtains  and 
peered  at  the  sky.  The  first  mingling  of  pink  and 
gray  heralded  the  coming  day.  Performing  the  nec 
essary  ablutions,  he  wrapped  his  cloak  about  him  and 
left  the  house.  He  did  not  notice  particularly  the 
direction  he  took,  walking  rapidly  forward,  with  his 
head  bent  in  strained  attention.  Once  inside  the 
main  entrance  to  the  gardens,  he  halted,  listening  for 
footsteps  ahead  of  him. 

For  the  first  time  he  observed  the  dew  lying  on  the 
bent  grass  in  drops  separate  and  distinct  from  each 
other,  but  thickly  studding  each  blade  and  leaf.  Sud 
denly  on  the  curving  pavement  a  few  feet  in  front  of 
him,  stood  Orondo,  irresolute,  stricken  and  old.  He 
had  not  yet  caught  sight  of  Yermah,  but  had  merely 
paused  in  his  erratic  course,  without  definite  idea 
whether  to  proceed  or  to  retreat. 

"  May  truth  and  love  be  with  thee,  Orondo,"  said 
the  Dorado,  in  an  unsteady  tone  of  voice.  "  Mayst 
thou  live  by  them,  and  by  such  means  triumph  over 
all  hindrances." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  143 

"  The  goodness  of  this  place  and  hour  be  upon 
thee,"  responded  Orondo,  still  not  recognizing  Yer- 
mah. 

As  the  men  looked  at  each  other,  a  family  of  deer 
roused  themselves  under  the  shelter  of  a  friendly 
live-oak  tree  standing  in  the  sward  to  the  right  of 
the  pavement.  The  buck  stood  up  and  shook  his 
graceful,  spreading  horns,  until  the  leaves  overhead 
quivered  in  the  current  of  air  set  in  motion.  The 
doe  licked  the  side  of  one  fawn,  while  the  other 
spotted  creature  wrinkled  up  its  little  nose,  took  a 
sniff  of  fresh  air,  and  clicked  its  hoofs  together  in 
the  very  exuberance  and  joy  of  living. 

The  two  heavy-hearted  men.  gazed  at  one  an 
other  in  an  embarrassed  silence.  Finally,  Orondo 
said: 

"  I  have  seen  the  priestess  Keroecia." 

"And  —  she?"  Yermah  finished  the  sentence 
with  a  supplicating  movement  and  braced  himself  for 
the  shock. 

"  She  —  she  is  not  for  me,"  responded  Orondo, 
brokenly. 

Not  to  have  saved  his  immortal  soul,  could  Yer 
mah  control  the  wave  of  emotion  which  swept  over 
him,  making  him  stagger  like  a  drunken  man.  The 
revulsion  of  feeling  was  so  strong  that  he  put  out  his 
hand  to  steady  himself,  while  his  senses  fairly  reeled. 

Like  a  flash  the  truth  dawned  on  Orondo;  but  he 
would  have  suffered  his  tongue  cut  out  rather  than 
acknowledge  even  to  himself  what  he  had  seen.  Pro 
found  pity  moved  him,  and  under  its  influence  he 
threw  himself  on  his  knees  before  the  Dorado. 

"  Give  me  leave,"  he  cried,  "  to  take  men  and 
flocks  and  go  into  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  to 


144  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

begin  mound-building.     My  mission  in  Tlamco  is 
finished." 

"  Stand  equally  with  me,"  exclaimed  Yermah,  as 
sisting  Orondo  to  rise  and  embracing  him.  "  A  sol 
emn  covenant  binds  thee  to  that  task.  Consult  only 
thine  own  pleasure  and  convenience."  Then,  after 
a  pause,  "  I  shall  miss  thy  strong,  right  hand,  thy 
faithful  heart  and  welcome  presence  here." 

The  dawn,  bright  from  the  Orient  couch,  had 
chased  away  the  stars,  and  as  Yermah  spoke  a  golden 
ring  came  slowly  above  the  horizon.  The  bells  in 
the  temples  and  Observatory  chimed  inspiringly. 
Nature  was  astir  all  about  them,  while  the  entire  city 
was  at  devotion.  With  bared  heads  both  men  turned 
their  pale  faces  toward  the  east.  Yermah's  arm  lay 
affectionately  on  Orondo's  shoulder. 

"  Homage  to  Thee  who  risest  above  the  horizon," 
said  the  Dorado,  reverently.  "  I  come  near  to  Thee. 
Thou  openest  the  gates  of  another  day." 

"Om-ah!"  responded  Orondo,  who  continued: 
"  Great  Illuminator  out  of  the  golden,  place  thyself 
as  a  protector  behind  me.  I  open  to  thee." 

"  Om-ah !  "  said  Yermah,  as  they  both  stretched 
out  their  arms  and  bowed  three  times  to  the  now  fully 
risen  sun. 

*          ****** 

It  was  the  day  following  Orondo's  visit,  and 
Keroecia  was  disturbed,  downcast  and  depressed. 
For  the  first  time  since  her  entrance  to  Tlamco  she 
longed  for  the  mountain  fastnesses  of  the  Monbas. 
She  felt  stifled.  She  wanted  air,  breath,  room.  A 
sense  of  utter  loneliness  was  upon  her.  Again  she 
could  have  cried  bitter  tears  for  Orondo.  It  was 
agony  to  her,  soul  to  know  that  she  had  hurt  him. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  145 

The  surprise  of  it  —  the  pity  of  it !  The  reflex  ac 
tion  of  her  hours  of  unalloyed  pleasure  was  full  upon 
her. 

So  she  stood  under  the  moonless  sky,  while  the 
clouds  scurried  overhead  in  a  pell-mell  race  with  the 
incoming  fog.  She  was  chilled  at  heart,  and  in 
stinctively  sought  a  sheltered  nook,  where  she  felt  she 
could  be  absolutely  alone. 

Keroecia  remained  for  some  time  motionless, 
frowning  into  vacancy,  so  preoccupied  that  she  did 
not  notice  a  tiny  moon-shaped  boat  of  paper  zigzag 
ging  its  way  down  the  narrow  waterway  at  her  feet. 
It  might  have  passed  her  had  not  the  splash  of  a 
pebble  thrown  a  spray  of  water  on  her  skirts. 
Glancing  quickly  about  her,  she  advanced  toward  the 
wavering  craft  in  time  to  rescue  a  red  velvet  rose 
floating  loosely  In  a  cluster  of  feathery  ferns. 

She  tucked  the  flower  and  its  greenery  into  her 
corsage  and  made  them  fast,  but  not  before  she  had 
inhaled  their  fragrance  and  noticed  their  beauty. 
Then  she  examined  the  neatly  folded  parchment. 
Across  the  prow  was  the  word  "  Yermah."  At  the 
sight  of  his  name,  happiness  surged  through  every 
avenue  of  sensibility  like  rare  old  wine.  Kercecia's 
face  was  all  tenderness  as  she  pressed  her  lips  to  the 
writing. 

It  was  a  lingering,  cooing  movement,  such  as 
women  who  love  employ. 

Yermah  had  been  watching  her  through  a  tapestry 
of  vines,  leaves  and  blossoms.  In  the  interim  his 
hopes  ran  as  high  as  her  spirits  had  been  somber 
and  low.  He  shook  the  branches  of  the  hedge  and 
stamped  with  his  foot;  but  she  was  too  much  ab 
sorbed  to  hear  him. 


146  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

At  last  he  contrived  to  make  her  know  that  he 
was  near. 

He  had  left  home  with  the  mere  desire  of  seeing 
her,  and  with  no  intention  of  speaking.  But  when 
he  saw  her  kiss  his  name,  it  was  the  eager  impulse 
and  bound  of  impassioned  love  which  brought  him 
to  her  side.  His  hungry  eyes  drove  him  there  for 
sight  of  her.  Now  his  hungrier  heart  demanded 
more.  The  same  impulse  impelling  him  forward 
controlled  his  further  action. 

Keroecia  made  no  resistance  when  he  caught  her 
in  his  arms,  nor  did  she  deny  him  when  his  lips 
sought  hers,  insistent  and  clinging.  Each  soul 
claimed  its  own.  Each  organism  responded  to  its 
counter  exhilaration.  .  .  .  Love  beggared  lan 
guage  ...  It  was  well. 

Neither  had  voice  nor  speech,  as  by  common  im 
pulse  they  drew  apart  and  hurried  away  in  opposite 
directions.  Yermah  dared  not  trust  himself  to  look 
back,  while  Keroecia  groped  her  way  into  the  house 
and  hid  in  her  own  room,  safe  from  human  eye. 

"  Men  kiss  like  women,"  she  murmured  naively, 
and  in  a  surprised  tone.  "  Their  lips  are  the  same, 
but — "  Then  she  buried  her  face  in  her  hands 
while  a  hot  blush  burned  its  way  to  the  roots  of  her 
hair.  Her  cheeks  still  tingled  with  the  light  sweep 
of  mustache  and  beard,  and  she  fell  to  wondering  if 
she  could  see  the  kiss  as  plainly  as  she  still  felt  it. 
Those  dear  arms!  How  strong  and  masterful  their 
protecting  enfoldment!  .  .  .  The  perfume  of 
the  crushed  and  broken  rose  brought  her  back  to 
reality.  She  unfastened  it,  and  buried  her  mouth  in 
its  petals,  so  close  that  a  drop  of  blood  spread  itself 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  147 

over  her  white  teeth.  Presently  she  wiped  her  lips 
with  a  dainty  bit  of  linen. 

"  Sealed  in  blood !  "  she  exclaimed,  as  she  exam 
ined  it.  "  And  nothing  but  heart's  blood  can  ever 
sever  the  bond.  Oh,  Yermah,  my  hero,  my  king! 
I  love  thee !  " 

The  Dorado  hurried  through  the  streets  with  his 
senses  in  a  whirl,  and  then  entered  laqua  by  a  private 
gate.  He  did  not  pause  until  he  threw  himself  on 
his  knees  before  the  statue  of  Orion.  The  soft 
light  of  incense-tapers  and  jeweled  lamps  revealed 
the  pallor  of  his  countenance.  Too  agitated  to  at 
tempt  prayer,  he  nervously  held  his  hands  to  his  head, 
and  tried  to  collect  his  thoughts  —  to  control  his 
emotions. 

"  Oh,  truant  and  coward  that  I  am !  "  he  ex 
claimed.  "  Why  could  I  not  speak  the  words  my 
heart  is  bursting  to  tell?  Will  she  know  how  sin 
cerely,  how  devotedly  I  love  her?  " 

He  threw  off  his  cloak,  pushed  his  helmet  on  the 
floor,  and  wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  brow. 

"  What  a  lovely  creature  a  woman  is !  I  can  feel 
her  soft,  yielding  body  yet  —  her  warm  breath  and 
sweet  lips.  No  wonder  I  could  not  speak!  Will 
her  thought  accuse  me?  And  her  dear,  little  hands! 
—  I  could  crush  them  easily." 

Then,  as  if  suspicion  crossed  his  mind,  he  up 
braided  himself  for  ungentleness. 

•"  Did  my  roughness  hurt  her?     Did  I   frighten 

her  by  my  suddenness?     ...     So  this  is  love! 

.     .     And  I  not  know  how  to  express  what  I  feel  I 

Why  has  not  Akaza  taught  me?     ...     I  see  — 

I  see  —  no  one  can  teach  another !     I  must  learn 


148  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

for  myself.  .  .  .  This  is  why  the  sages  say  it  is 
like  subtle  poison.  My  blood  is  on  fire !  I  do  not 
know  myself  —  my  ugly  self !  "  he  added,  as  he 
arose  and  peered  at  his  reflection  in  the  mirrored 
wall. 

Never  before  had  he  been  dissatisfied  with  what 
he  saw.  It  was  his  first  realization  of  self-con 
sciousness,  and  he  was  full  of  the  humility  of  a  mas 
ter  passion. 

"  Her  hair  fell  here  over  my  arm,"  he  continued, 
smiling  tenderly.  "  I  sense  it  yet.  The  perfume  of  it 
is  sweet  to  my  nostrils.  Why  did  I  not  beg  a  lock 
for  remembrance?  " 

He  paced  the  floor  restlessly. 

"  How  unmanned  and  undone  I  am !  Oh,  my 
Keroecia  !  Thy  first  kiss  has  enslaved  me !  I  could 
not  see  the  luster  of  thine  eyes,  but  I  could  feel  thy 
love.  I  can  look  into  thy  heart.  Surely  thou  canst 
see  that  mine  is  filled  with  thy  dear  image  .  . 
I  loved  my  mother,  and  Akaza,  too  .  .  .  but 
this  is  love  of  another  kind!  ...  If  my  mate 
should  deny  herself  to  me !  No,  no,  no !  I  cannot 
live  without  her!  .  .  .  Poor  Orondo!  Poor 
soul !  "  he  cried,  in  accents  which  revealed  his  great 
sympathy. 

It  was  not  until  long  after,  that  Yermah  quit  the 
chamber  and  finally  sought  rest. 


/  /  "¥"  "•"  OLD  the  burning  feathers  close  under 

I 1  his  nose,"  directed  the  chief  shaman, 

JL  JL  who  had  been  hastily  summoned  to 
laqua,  when  Orondo  was  found  in  an  unconscious 
condition  early  the  following  morning  after  his  ad 
venture  with  Yermah  in  the  public  gardens.  "  We 
will  soon  determine  whether  it  is  merely  a  fainting 
fit  or  of  more  serious  import." 

The  pungent  and  penetrating  odors  produced  no 
effect  except  to  cause  the  sufferer  to  turn  his  head 
and  moan. 

"  Delirium  chains  his  physical  senses,"  said  the 
shaman,  when  Orondo  opened  his  eyes  without  rec 
ognizing  any  one. 

In  their  own  peculiar  fashion,  the  chief  and  his 
two  assistants  examined  the  seven  principal  organs 
of  the  body  —  the  same  that  are  symbolized  by  the 
curls  of  Medusa,  and  whose  appetites  must  be  con 
trolled  before  there  can  be  health  either  on  the  phys 
ical  or  the  mental  planes. 

"  Extreme  heat,  and  a  labored  and  painful  draw 
ing  in  of  the  breath  is  here,"  said  the  chief,  while 
one  assistant  carefully  wrote  down  his  words. 

It  was  compulsory  upon  healers  to  post  in  a  con 
spicuous  place  on  the  temple  walls  to  which  they 
were  attached  the  number  of  cures  made,  and  by 

149 


150  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

what  processes.  Orondo  being  a  civic  leader,  the 
law  required  that  his  malady  should  be  written  on 
the  tablet  back  of  the  Chief  Councilor's  chair  in  the 
Temple  of  the  Sun. 

"  Pains  in  all  the  bones,  and  in  the  cords  which 
give  them  motion,"  he  continued.  "  The  air-bel 
lows  rise  and  fall  one-half,  and  the  hammer  in  the 
left  breast  moves  slowly  and  is  very  weak.  Lend  a 
hand." 

The  scribe  hastily  put  down  his  parchment  and 
assisted  in  placing  Orondo  in  a  hammock,  hung  in 
the  full  glare  of  the  sun,  in  a  circular,  glass-sided 
room.  The  sick  man  was  quickly  stripped  to  the 
waist,  and  the  shamans  took  turns  in  holding  first  a 
large  red  convex  lens  over  the  region  of  the  heart 
and  lungs;  then  an  orange-colored  one;  and  finally 
a  yellow-green  ray  of  light  was  concentrated  over 
the  heart,  to  stimulate  its  retarded  action.  This 
process  will  be  recognized  as  the  forerunner  of  the 
modern  X-Ray. 

Then  by  what  is  now  known  as  the  Swedish 
movement,  they  went  over  the  entire  body,  keeping 
the  lenses  focused  on  the  parts  being  kneaded  and 
rubbed.  When  this  treatment  ceased,  they  carried 
him  back  to  his  wall-pallet,  taking  care  to  lay  his 
head  to  the  north,  thus  taking  advantage  of  the  mag 
netic  currents. 

A  small  oblong  bit  of  copper  was  placed  in  an  olla 
of  snow-water.  It  was  fastened  by  a  silken-cord  to 
a  copper  anklet  clasped  above  the  patient's  left  foot. 
Over  the  main  artery  was  a  small  disk  of  copper  with 
Orondo's  ceal  on  the  outside. 

"  Squeeze  the  sponge  gently,  and  slip  it  under  the 
signet,"  directed  the  head  physician. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  151 

Believing  that  the  topaz  exercised  a  powerful  in 
fluence  over  an  afflicted  mind,  the  shaman  rubbed  a 
necklace  of  these  stones  briskly  between  his  hands, 
and  put  it  around  Orondo's  neck.  For  the  first 
half-hour  the  fever  increased,  and  then  Orondo  raved 
incessantly: 

"Love  denies  dominion  in  my  heart  I  .  .  . 
Not  for  thee,  Orondo!  She  makes  no  return! 
.  .  .  A  Brotherhood  vow  binds  the  soul !  .  .  . 
No,  no,  no,  poor  man!  .  .  .  Help  him,  All- 
Powerful  One!" 

The  chief  shaman  put  some  water  into  hollow  glass 
vessels  formed  like  double  convex  chromo-lenses,  and 
hung  them  in  the  sunlight.  These  were  labeled  ac 
cording  as  they  were  yellow,  blue,  red,  or  violet-col 
ored. 

Later  an  attendant  poured  a  few  drops  of  aconite 
tincture  into  a  blue  glass  bowl,  and,  mixing  it  with 
some  water  from  the  blue  chromo-lens,  gave  Orondo 
some  of  it  to  drink.  It  was  known  that  pure  water 
under  the  chemical  action  of  the  blue  rays  of  sun 
light  was  a  cooling,  soothing  nervine,  and  that  it 
would  greatly  assist  the  bluish  herb  in  reducing  in 
flammation  and  temperature. 

While  Orondo  slept  a  silver  chafing-dish  was 
brought  into  the  room,  and  a  decoction  of  dandelion 
was  slowly  simmered  in  water  from  the  ambero,  or 
yellow  lens.  The  remainder  of  the  water  was  mixed 
with  equal  parts  of  maguey  spirits. 

Induction  belongs  to  the  dominion  of  inanimate 
nature,  to  the  magnetic,  or  cold;  while  deduction  is 
the  ruling  force  of  animation  or  heat.  To  assist  in 
producing  reaction,  the  magnet  already  referred  to, 
was  fastened  to  the  body,  or  hot  pole,  and  immersed 


152  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

in  snow  for  a  cold  pole,  in  order  to  oxygenize  the 
blood. 

During  the  sleeping  hours  this  force  worked  stead 
ily  in  conjunction  with  other  remedies,  and  when 
Orondo  awoke  in  the  afternoon,  he  was  rational 
and  without  fever.  Noting  his  condition,  the  mag 
net  was  removed,  and  the  patient  lifted  once  more 
into  the  hammock,  where  he  was  thoroughly  sponged 
with  alcohol  and  water.  After  this,  his  throat, 
chest,  and  shoulders  were  vigorously  rubbed  with 
warm  olive  oil,  perfumed  with  lavender.  The  odors 
of  plants  are  antiseptic,  and  were  much  employed  in 
sick  rooms  by  the  ancients. 

While  the  physicians  were  busy,  the  tamanes  in 
attendance  changed  the  pallet  and  linen  completely. 
Placing  Orondo  in  it  again  and  setting  a  lavender 
spray  in  motion  near  the  window,  they  retired  to 
bring  in  a  lacquered  tray  of  food.  Freshly  baked 
tortillas,  young  leeks,  and  pickled  olives,  with  salted 
almonds  and  dried  figs  formed  the  principal  part  of 
the  meal,  while  a  dish  of  fresh  cocoanut  and  oranges, 
sliced  together,  served  for  dessert. 

The  tray  and  dishes  had  scarcely  been  removed 
before  Setos  came  bustling  in.  Sanitation  was  his 
hobby,  and  he  was  always  urging  the  necessity  for 
legislation  against  disease,  which  he  considered  was 
the  result  of  criminal  carelessness. 

In  Tlamco  every  bit  of  refuse  was  carefully  col 
lected  and  burned  each  day.  A  large  section  of  the 
water-front,  where  the  prevailing  winds  carried  the 
smoke  and  odor  well  out  to  sea,  was  reserved  for 
this  purpose.  The  flood-gates  of  the  entire  water 
system  were  opened  during  certain  hours  of  the  night 
and  all  the  waste  canals  cleansed  thoroughly. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  153 

"  By  Him  who  is  the  breath  of  every  living  thing, 
tell  me  how  affliction  befell  thee?  "  asked  Setos,  sit 
ting  down  on  the  bed  near  the  foot  and  searching 
Orondo's  face  anxiously. 

"  By  the  only  method  possible,"  answered 
Orondo.  "  Because  I  have  violated  the  laws  of 
harmony." 

'  This  is  bad,  very  bad !  It  gives  less  favored 
men  an  excuse  to  neglect  their  bodies  in  an  unwar 
rantable  manner,"  said  Setos,  warming  up  to  his 
favorite  theme.  "  If  we  could  only  send  out  an 
army  to  teach  the  people  the  possibilities  of  water, 
the  difference  between  good  arid  bad  food,  the  ne 
cessity  for  proper  rest,  the  inexorableness  of  natural 
laws,  disease  would  become  what  it  was  intended  to 
be  —  a  brief,  infrequent,  reparative  process." 

He  pursed  up  his  lips  and  sniffed  loudly  in  self- 
satisfaction.  It  was  so  seldom  that  he  had  an  op 
portunity  to  fittingly  repeat  this  homily. 

"  I  think  that  our  laws  are  strictly  and  justly  ad 
ministered  in  this  respect,"  ventured  Orondo.  "  The 
advocates  and  healers  are  supported  by  the  state. 
Self-interest  prompts  the  latter  to  report  disease  as 
they  find  it.  They  know  enough  of  law  to  name  the 
penalty  attached  to  hereditary  and  contagious  dis 
eases.  The  advocates  know  enough  of  healing  to 
detect  symptoms  of  forbidden  maladies.  It  is  a 
capital  offense  for  either  party  to  conceal  condi 
tions  of  this  kind.  I  do  not  see  what  more  can  be 
done." 

Utter  weariness  closed  Orondo's  eyes  for  a  mo 
ment,  and  Setos  refrained  from  further  speech. 

"  Let  kindness  of  heart  prompt  thee  to  fill  a  pipe 
for  me,"  said  the  patient,  presently. 


154  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

When  it  was  handed  to  him,  he  said  with  a  wan 
smile : 

"  Let  us  indulge  our  nerves  with  a  harmless  sed 
ative  as  a  step  in  the  right  direction.  I  shall  wait 
until  thy  bowl  is  filled." 

Setos  hastened  to  comply,  and  after  the  first  three 
whiffs,  which  were  always  silent  fire-offerings,  said: 

"  Ildiko  refuses  to  be  comforted  because  of  thy 
continued  absence  from  our  house.  She  grieves  for 
thy  affliction,  and  sends  her  best  thoughts." 

"  Beauty  and  goodness  are  the  crown  of  fair 
Ildiko.  It  is  not  possible  for  me  to  do  more  than 
receive  such  flattering  unction.  I  am  indeed  un 
done,"  he  made  answer,  catching  his  breath  pain 
fully. 

"  The  priestess  Keroecia,  and  her  sweet  maids  are 
much  concerned  for  thy  misfortune.  Hanabusa  has 
already  been  twice  to  hear  if  reason  came  back  to 
thee."' 

"  I  pray  thee  leave  me,"  cried  Orondo,  piteously. 
"  My  heart!  "  he  gasped,  as  the  chief  shaman  bent 
over  him  hurriedly,  in  response  to  Setos's  call. 

"  All  matters  of  importance  must  rest  while  this 
man  regains  control  of  his  better  physique,"  said  the 
shaman,  authoritatively.  "  It  were  cruel  to  tax  him 
at  this  time." 

"  Nothing  except  friendly  greeting  passed  be 
tween  us,"  declared  Setos,  much  exercised  at  the  sud 
den  bad  turn  apparent  in  Orondo. 

"  I  will  come  again  at  nightfall,"  he  said. 

"  Be  thou  content  with  inquiry,  only,"  returned 
the  shaman,  still  frowning  over  the  complete  undo 
ing  of  all  his  labor. 

''  The  sun  must  be  on  the  earth's  magnetic  merid- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  155 

ian  before  quiet  will  come  again  to  our  patient,"  said 
the  chief  shaman,  as  he  prepared  to  go  out  for  an 
airing,  after  working  over  Orondo  for  one  hour. 

"  The  sun  will  not  be  below  the  horizon  until  the 
seventh  marking  of  the  gnomon,  and  until  that  time 
we  can  only  wait  and  watch,"  he  said,  in  answer  to 
Yermah's  anxious  question.  "  Setos  has  injured  his 
rest  greatly,  but  he  has  asked  for  thee  more  than 
once.  If  thou  wilt  exercise  caution,  thou  mayst  go 
to  him." 

"  I  understand  Orondo,"  replied  Yermah.  "  I 
have  stayed  away  because  I  feared  to  excite  him.  I 
am  glad  that  I  may  see  him." 

Yermah  came  quietly  and  put  his  hand  on  Oron- 
do's  head.  He  knew  how  to  still  the  throbbing,  un 
controlled  emotion  dividing  the  sick  man's  mental 
and  physical  self.  Without  a  word,  he  willed  him 
peace,  and  after  a  time  Orondo  opened  his  eyes  and 
seemed  to  breathe  easier. 

"  The  Master  of  the  Hidden  Spheres,  who  causes 
the  principles  to  arise,  give  thee  peace,  Orondo." 

Orondo  made  no  reply;  his  lips  quivered  and  his 
eyes  filled.  Yermah  took  both  his  hands,  and,  look 
ing  at  him  steadily,  said: 

"  Part  of  thy  burden  falls  upon  me.  I  will  share 
physical  pain  with  thee." 

Soon  the  veins  in  Yermah's  hands,  and  then  those 
in  his  forehead,  stood  out  like  whip-cords.  He  ex 
perienced  the  same  difficulty  in  breathing,  the  same 
spasmodic  action  of  the  heart,  as  had  Orondo.  He 
sighed  deeply,  and  it  was  soon  apparent  that  Oron- 
do's  nervous  tension  was  relieved.  In  the  silence 
which  followed  both  were  busy  with  the  same 
thoughts. 


156  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  When  does  she  go?  "  Orondo  asked,  finally. 

"  The  day  following  to-morrow." 

"  Hast  thou  seen  her  since?  " 

"  Once  only.      I  have  not  had  speech  with  her." 

"  Twice  has  she  sent  to  ask  after  me." 

"  Which  newly  affirms  the  gentleness  of  her  na 
ture." 

The  situation  was  trying  for  Yermah,  but  he  hu 
mored  his  companion,  as  he  saw  that  speech  was  a 
relief  to  him.  He  did  not  suspect  Orondo  of  know 
ing  that  he,  too,  loved  Keroecia. 

"  When  strength  comes  again,  I  must  consider 
the  work  before  me,"  said  Orondo,  after  an  elo 
quent  silence.  "  Duty  lays  a  stern  hand  on  both  of 
us." 

"  The  shamans  will  cause  public  complaint  if  I 
indulge  thee  in  that  direction,"  said  Yermah.  "  A 
sharp  reprimand  rewarded  Setos  for  his  effort  in  that 
line." 

"  Setos  said  nothing  to  me  of  that  matter,"  said 
Orondo,  in  surprise. 

"  But  he  said  that  to  thee  which  taxed  thy  pow 
ers  of  control,  and  for  this  reason  he  is  forbidden  to 
see  thee  again,  to-day.  Dost  thou  wish  me  to  have 
a  similar  experience?" 

"  The  shamans  will  see  that  thou  hast  greatly 
aided  me,"  said  Orondo,  as  the  chief  shaman  came 
to  his  bedside  accompanied  by  Akaza. 

"  The  twilight  hour  approaches,  and  I  have  come 
to  worship  with  thee,"  said  the  hierophant,  making 
the  sign  of  benediction  over  Orondo.  Turning  to 
Yermah,  he  said: 

"  The  Father  of  the  Beginnings  have  thee  in  safe 
keeping." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  157 

"  The  same  rich  blessing  follow  thee,"  responded 
Yermah,  as  he  took  leave. 

The  principle  of  Life  is  alchemical.  The  chem 
ical  elements  must  be  absorbed  in  order  to  give 
health.  As  making  alchemical  gold  was  really 
finding  the  Perfect  Way,  so  the  elixir  of  life  is  the 
proper  use  of  the  astral  light  composing  the  photo 
sphere  surrounding  our  physical  bodies. 

When  the  astral  body  is  charged  with  oil,  and  the 
physical  body  is  well  supplied  with  electricity,  the 
secret  of  magnetism  is  revealed.  The  gypsies  are 
the  only  people  who  have  preserved  the  knowledge 
necessary  to  produce  this  peculiar  chemicalization. 

The  arrow  shot  by  Orion,  William  Tell  and 
others,  is  Thought,  the  Sagitur;  the  same  as  Her 
acles  shot  at  Helios.  The  ability  of  the  individual 
to  project  thought  determines  the  possession  of  oc 
cult  power.  This  force  is  gained  by  harmonizing 
the  physical,  mental  and  spiritual  attributes,  so  that 
thought  may  function  from  any  one  of  these  planes. 
In  other  words,  it  is  to  have  complete  possession  of 
all  these  faculties. 

To  project  thought,  is  literally  hitting  the  bull's 
eye,  as  Orion  did  when  he  killed  Taurus  —  the  as 
tronomical  aspect  of  the  world-old  battle  between 
the  higher  and  the  lower  self. 

The  liberty  which  the  original  William  Tell 
sought  to  achieve  was  not  political,  but  a  victory  over 
his  own  lower  nature  —  a  battle  which  the  men  and 
women  of  Tlamco  fought  out  in  every  phase. 

"  The  water-holding  capacity  of  the  nerve-cells  is 
much  impaired,"  said  the  chief  shaman  to  his  as- 


158  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

sistants,  when  giving  directions  for  the  night. 
"  Nervous  irritability  follows.  Sleep  will  be  light 
and  infrequent.  Watch  beside  him.  At  every  third 
marking  let  him  sip  liberally  from  the  ambero  lens. 
Between  times,  give  him  drink  from  the  purpuro 
flagon." 

In  company  with  Akaza,  he  left  laqua. 

It  was  as  the  chief  shaman  had  predicted.  Orondo 
failed  to  find  refreshment  in  troubled  sleep,  so  that 
the  gray,  foggy  morning  found  him  correspondingly 
wearied  and  depressed.  Symptoms  of  pleuro-pneu- 
monia  were  clearly  established,  and  for  three  days 
he  had  a  hard  fight  for  life. 

Finally,  when  well  enough  to  dress  himself,  he 
resolutely  put  on  the  same  clothes  he  had  used  such 
care  in  selecting  for  his  memorable  visit  to  Keroecia. 
It  tried  him  severely  to  reinvest  himself  with  them, 
but  this  was  in  keeping  with  his  stern  resolution  to 
crush  out  useless  regret.  He  wisely  concluded  that 
the  easiest  way  out  of  it  was  to  accustom  himself  to 
the  same  routine  as  before.  He  must  not  yield  to 
such  weakness  as  to  shrink  from  inanimate  things 
which  were  associated  with  her  memory. 

Some  carefully  pressed  blossoms  of  flax,  fragile, 
delicate,  little  bluecups,  dedicated  in  thought  to  his 
love,  were  the  only  mementos  he  kept.  These  he 
hid  away  in  an  ivory  dice-box  given  him  by  Ben  Hu 
Barabe  on  taking  leave. 

Orondo  had  managed  to  listen  to  the  words  of 
greeting  and  farewell  from  Keroecia,  and  had  re 
sponded  thereto  manfully.  What  the  effort  cost  him 
may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  kept  his  room 
closely  for  the  week  following,  refusing  to  see  any 
one  save  the  tamanes  who  served  him. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  159 

When  he  came  again  among  his  fellows,  there  was 
a  stern,  set  look  on  his  face,  which  was  accentuated 
by  the  sunken  eyes  and  sharpened  cheek-bones,  but 
there  was  no  alteration  in  his  manner  of  life.  He 
began  preparation  for  immediate  departure. 

Yermah  lived  in  a  rose-colored  world  of  his  own 
creation.  He  made  pretty  speeches  to  imaginary 
women,  and  never  even  in  sleep  lost  the  conscious 
ness  of  Keroecia's  presence.  In  his  audience  chamber 
during  the  day,  he  granted  requests  for  her.  His 
decisions  were  all  for  her  benefit,  and  the  directions 
for  various  public  works  were  delivered  as  he  fondly 
imagined  he  would  do  if  she  were  present.  Several 
times  in  affixing  his  signature  to  documents  he  came 
near  to  writing  her  name. 

Yermah  was  singularly  absent-minded,  with  all 
his  amiability  and  politeness.  He  went  among  his 
pets  with  the  air  of  a  lover,  and  was  entirely  obliv 
ious  to  the  screech  of  the  parrots  and  monkeys  in  and 
around  the  stables.  He  got  on  famously  with 
Cibolo;  and  if  the  horse  had  understood  him,  he 
would  have  made  a  clean  breast  of  the  situation. 

It  would  have  been  such  a  relief  to  talk  about  her. 

The  Dorado  usually  had  dressed  well,  as  became 
a  man  of  his  station;  but  now  he  was  fussy  and  par 
ticular  to  a  noticeable  degree.  He  taxed  Alca- 
mayn's  ingenuity  to  the  utmost  in  devising  suitable 
gifts  for  Keroecia  and  her  attendants,  and  insisted 
upon  superintending  the  enameling  of  the  medallion- 
shaped  mirror  which  he  was  to  present  to  the  priest 
ess.  The  bits  of  blue,  green,  and  black  enamel  must 
be  as  shiny  and  lustrous  as  the  gems  they  surrounded, 
and  the  burnished  gold  rim  and  handle  must  be  as 
fine  as  the  skill  of  his  workmen  could  make  it. 


160  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

This  exchange  of  mirrors  was  a  pretty  compliment 
among  the  rulers  of  olden  times  —  for  by  this  flat 
tering  method  each  was  assured  of  the  faithful  re 
membrance,  of  the  other.  They  had  but  to  look  into 
the  mirror  to  discover  the  subject  of  the  other's 
thought  —  at  least  in  theory. 

An  oval  of  burnished  bronze,  framed  in  silver 
filigree,  enameled  with  black  and  white,  and  set 
with  turquoise,  coral,  moonstones,  and  amethysts 
was  the  regulation  gift  from  Keroecia.  It  was  man 
nish  enough  to  suit  the  requirements,  but  it  was  too 
formal  to  express  her  feelings. 

She  made  a  strawberry  of  red  cloth,  and  with  fine 
brown  floss  dexterously  worked  in  the  seed  specks. 
It  was  filled  with  fine  sand  and  grains  of  musk. 
The  little  cup  was  cleverly  imitated  by  green  cloth, 
and  the  berry  was  fastened  by  a  tiny  eyelet  to  a  piece 
of  narrow  red  cord. 

Consideration  for  Orondo,  constrained  Yermah's 
impatience  to  seek  Keroecia  immediately,  and  the 
preparations  for  her  departure  were  of  such  public 
character  that  he  had  no  further  opportunity  of  see 
ing  her  alone,  until  his  chariot  stood  before  the  door 
of  Setos's  house,  waiting  for  her. 

Cibolo  and  his  three  companions  tugged  hard  at 
their  bridles,  as  a  consequence  of  ten  days'  idleness. 
They  would  have  enjoyed  kicking  up  their  heels  and 
running  like  the  wind,  especially  when  music,  noise 
and  confusion  gave  such  warrant;  but  Yermah  kept 
a  vise-like  grip  on  them,  quieting  them  by  a  word 
now  and  then. 

Keroecia's  pride  found  complete  satisfaction  in  his 
excellent  horsemanship.  There  were  no  gloves  on 
his  strong,  white  hands,  wound  up  in  the  reins,  but 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  161 

the  wrists  were  as  firm  and  hard  as  steel.  It  was  a 
master-hand  that  held  the  lines,  and  she  was  not  in 
the  least  distressed  or  alarmed  when  the  horses 
reared  and  plunged  and  stood  on  their  hind  feet. 

The  couple  were  nearing  the  round-house  on  the 
upper  limit  of  the  canal,  and  Yermah's  face  was  set 
and  pale.  He  had  suddenly  forgotten  all  the  pretty 
speeches  he  had  intended  to  make.  Finally,  when 
there  was  not  a  minute  to  spare,  he  turned  to  Ke- 
roecia  with  an  agonized  expression  and  tried  to 
speak.  His  lips  moved,  but  no  sound  escaped  them, 
as  they  fashioned  the  words:  "  I  love  thee !  " 

That  was  all  he  could  remember  to  say,  and  he 
was  dismayed  when  he  realized  that  his  voice  had 
failed  him. 

His  eyes  swam,  and  he  instinctively  clutched  at 
his  heart  as  he  swayed  from  side  to  side. 

Keroecia  moved  nearer  to  him  helpfully,  and  with 
a  smile  of  infinite  tenderness  slipped  her  hand  into 
his.  For  a  moment  he  did  not  return  its  pressure; 
then  it  seemed  to  nestle  close  to  his  palm,  and,  with 
a  caressing  touch,  left  something  in  his  grasp  when 
it  was  withdrawn.  When  he  opened  his  hand  he 
found  the  little  strawberry. 

"  With  all  my  heart,"  she  said  in  a  whisper.  He 
kissed  the  keepsake  rapturously,  and  slipped  it  into 
a  fold  of  his  tunic  in  time  to  assist  her  to  alight  from 
the  chariot.  Etiquette  forbade  his  accompanying 
her  farther. 

With  straining  eyes  he  stood  watching  and  waving 
his  hand  to  her,  until  the  balsas  put  into  the  bay. 


CHAPTER  THIRTEEN 

"  When  from  the  shores 
And  forest-nestling  mountains  came  a  voice 
That,  solemn  sounding,  bids  the  world  prepare!" 

THE  sphinx,  one  of  the  first  symbols  known 
to  man,  demands  that  we  solve  its  riddle 
—  which  is  Life,  not  Death.  The  Egyp 
tian  sphinxes  with  their  human  heads  face  the  West. 
The  mastodon-headed  sphinxes  of  Mexico  face  the 
East.  Will  future  research  unearth  the  evidence 
necessary  to  locate  the  sunken  Atlantis  lying  between 
these  two  avenues  of  sphinxes,  and  thus  reveal  the 
origin  of  man?  Did  the  primitive  races  evolve  sim 
ilar  civilization  separately,  or  were  they  all  from  one 
source?  Perhaps  the  answer  to  this,  is  the  solution 
of  the  enigma. 

Akaza,  meaning  "  God  within  thee "  was  the 
hierophant,  prophet  and  high-priest  of  the  Brother 
hood  of  the  White  Star,  which  had  its  origin  in  At 
lantis.  His  was  an  equilibrated,  evenly  balanced 
mind  and  nature.  As  an  initiate  he  knew  all  that 
transpired  on  the  subjective  as  well  as  on  the  positive 
planes  of  consciousness.  He  was  always  a  disturb 
ing  element  on  the  shallow,  false  and  artificial  side 
of  life.  He  cared  nothing  for  consequences.  A 
natural  wanderer  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  Akaza 
was  in  his  element  when  it  came  time  for  him  to  lead 
Yermah's  band  away  from  the  doomed  island. 

162 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  163 

Akaza  was  waiting  for  Yermah  this  Monday 
morning,  or  Moon's  day.  He  stood  at  the  entrance 
of  a  cave  extending  well  back  under  Sutro  Heights. 
It  was  called  Ingharep  at  that  time,  and  marked 
the  orbit  of  Uranus  —  from  the  center  of  Tlamco 
—  the  planet  which  was  correlated  to  Akaza's  life. 

In  the  time  of  our  story  the  water's  edge  did  not 
extend  inside  Seal  Rocks.  A  careful  inspection  at 
low  tide  to-day  will  lead  to  the  discovery  of  the  cave 
still  tunneled  back  under  the  Cliff  House  foundation. 

The  Indians  never  fail  to  locate  a  cavern. 
Where  one  is  suspected,  they  wait  until  after  sunset 
on  a  windy  day.  Then  they  lie  down  over  the  sup 
posed  cave,  and  with  an  ear  pressed  close  to  the 
ground,  listen  attentively  for  the  roar,  such  as  is 
heard  in  a  sea-shell.  If  once  this  roar  is  heard,  they 
refuse  to  search  further,  experience  teaching  them 
that  they  have  found  the  right  spot.  Such  was  the 
method  employed  in  discovering  Ingharep. 

Akaza,  the  hierophant,  was  an  interesting  part 
of  the  picture  as  he  stood  at  the  mouth  of  this  cavern. 
The  white  robe  which  he  wore  was  made  of  paca 
wool,  stiff  and  lustrous  as  silk,  but  thick  and  warm. 
It  was  embroidered  with  five-pointed  and  six-pointed 
silver  stars,  having  diamonds  in  the  center.  On  his 
thumb  was  a  silver  signet-ring.  He  wore  bracelets 
of  the  same  metal.  At  his  waist  was  a  sash  of 
yellow  silk,  with  double-key  pattern  outlined  in 
silver.  Over  his  shoulders  was  a  purple  cloth 
mantle,  trimmed  with  a  coarse  blue  tracery  in  lace 
pattern. 

The  mouth  of  the  cave  faced  due  west,  thus  ena 
bling  Akaza  to  see  the  last  glimmerings  of  daylight 
go  out  as  the  sun  dropped,  apparently,  into  the  ocean 


164  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

or  was  swallowed  up  in  the  vaporous  clouds  or  fog- 
banks  each  day.  For  many  months  Akaza  had 
watched  this  process,  and,  since  his  return  from  the 
Yo-Semite,  he  had  busied  himself  incessantly  with 
astronomical  calculations. 

"  Pause  here  a  moment,"  he  said  to  Yermah,  after 
a  hearty  greeting.  "  One  of  the  grandest  symbols  in 
nature  stretches  out  before  thee.  Primordial  sub 
stance  is  always  represented  by  water  flowing  out  of 
naught,  or  nothing." 

He  pointed  toward  the  wide  Pacific  and  looked 
at  Yermah  with  a  rapt  expression.  "  As  it  flows, 
it  gradually  solidifies  into  mind,  just  as  the  earth  was 
molten  and  then  became  solid." 

Yermah  stood  inhaling  the  stiffening  sea-breeze, 
and  watching  the  waves  cresting  shoreward  in  cease 
less  motion. 

"  These  waves  scudding  before  the  wind  are  ex 
actly  like  our  thoughts  driven  to  a  given  point  by 
force  of  will.  It  is  to  give  further  instruction  on 
this  matter  of  a  fully  controlled  will  that  I  have 
asked  thee  to  give  me  attention  to-day,"  continued 
the  old  man,  as  he  led  the  way  into  the  cavern. 

There  were  swinging  lamps,  and  a  wide,  open  fire 
place,  so  constructed  that  the  smoke  was  emitted 
through  a  pointed-arch  opening.  With  the  char 
coal  fire  and  the  swinging  lamps,  the  interior  was 
made  quite  comfortable.  The  stalactites,  white  and 
frosted,  or  discolored  here  and  there  from  natural 
causes,  made  the  walls  and  ceilings  beautiful. 
Where  an  opening  suggested  partition,  blankets, 
rugs  and  tapestries  had  been  hung,  and  over  the 
sanded  floor  were  rush  and  grass  mats  in  profu 
sion. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  165 

Around  to  the  north,  where  the  rocks  still  stand, 
the  seals  barked  and  roared  as  they  do  now,  while 
the  same  species  of  birds  came  and  went. 

An  ingeniously  arranged  partial  closing  of  heavy 
boards  screened  the  occupants  from  the  wind,  but 
did  not  exclude  the  sunlight  and  fresh  air. 

"  This  eight-spoked  wheel  represents  the  life  of 
an  initiate,"  said  Akaza. 

A  round  inlaid  ivory  wheel,  supported  by  a  porce 
lain  tripod,  was  indicated.  On  its  outer  edge  were 
the  signs  of  the  zodiac,  chased  in  black,  with  a 
mother-of-pearl  inlaying  to  indicate  the  spokes.  A 
rough-edged  parchment  lay  in  the  center,  and  Yer- 
mah's  quick  eye  saw  that  it  was  an  orrery  question, 
pertaining  to  Atlantis,  drawn  in  colors. 

"  We  are  not  to  examine  the  horoscope  at  pres 
ent,"  explained  Akaza,  following  Yermah's  gaze. 
"  I  brought  thee  in  here  to  make  sure  of  fire  and 
the  needs  of  the  inner  man.  Now  that  they  are 
secure,  we  shall  devote  the  morning  to  the  beach." 

He  occupied  himself  for  a  few  moments  with  the 
baskets  of  food,  done  up  with  paper  napery,  ready 
for  the  ever-present  chafing-dish  and  samovar.  He 
banked  the  fire  so  that  it  would  smolder  without 
dying  out,  and  then  the  two  men  went  slowly  toward 
the  beach  where  old  ocean  came  in  uproariously,  and 
sullenly  ground  its  white  teeth  on  the  sands. 

Yermah  considerately  took  the  ocean  side,  so  as 
to  protect  Akaza  as  much  as  possible  from  the  cool 
wind.  He  drew  a  thin,  bony  hand  up  under  his 
cloak  and  clasped  it  close  to  his  side  with  the  upper 
arm. 

They  were  an  interesting  study  —  these  two  men. 
One  the  perfect  embodiment  of  physical  health  and 


166  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

strength;  the  other,  feeble  in  body,  but  a  veritable 
giant  of  spiritual  force. 

The  one  man  stood  absolutely  apart  from  tem 
poral  things;  the  other  was  just  beginning  to  live 
on  the  sensuous,  or  material  plane.  As  they  walked 
they  left  odd-looking  wet  tracks  behind  them. 

"  Thou  knowest  already,"  said  Akaza,  "  that  thou 
hast  successfully  performed  seven  of  the  great  labors 
in  the  self-development  of  Osiris.  Now  thou 
standest  face  to  face  with  that  which  hinders;  and 
it  is  necessary  that  I  should  explain  to  thee  the  pur 
port  of  this  eighth  labor." 

"  Is  there  something  about  it  which  I  do  not 
understand?"  asked  Yermah,  in  a  surprised  tone. 
"  I  have  but  to  find  the  treasure  hidden  in  the  rocks, 
and  then  I  am  ready  to  return  home.  I  have 
learned  to  fashion  the  gold  which  is  to  tip  the  spires 
of  my  temple,  and  when  this  is  done  I  shall  demand 
release  from  my  vow.  As  soon  as  the  Brotherhood 
receives  me,  I  am  free."  Then,  with  a  slight  hesi 
tation  in  manner  and  speech  — "  I  have  already  de 
cided  what  I  shall  do  with  my  freedom." 

While  he  was  speaking,  Akaza  moved  and 
breathed  like  a  person  in  pain. 

"  What  I  must  explain  to  thee  is  the  duality  of 
thine  own  nature,"  he  went  on,  turning  sadly  toward 
Yermah,  "  the  dual  aspect  of  the  labor  thou  hast 
already  performed,  and  what  thou  must  do  in  the 
future.  First,  then,  Osiris  is  thyself  —  the  I-am-I 
principle  within  thee,  which  is  the  same  first,  last, 
and  all  the  time.  Thy  labor  is  the  finding  of  the 
Perfect  Way.  Love  is  the  consummation,  and 
Wisdom  is  the  way." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  167 

"What  wouldst  thou  have  me  do?"  asked  Yer- 
mah,  eagerly. 

"  First,  I  would  have  thee  realize  the  transitory 
nature  of  life,  and  its  desires,  not  on  the  intellectual 
plane,  but  as  a  fact  in  nature.  The  body,  scientific 
ally  considered,  is  not  the  same  through  the  whole 
life.  Neither  does  the  mind  remain  the  same. 
Man's  ability  to  look  at  his  own  desires  and  feelings 
impersonally  is  the  beginning  of  Wisdom.  No  man 
can  extricate  himself  from  the  result  of  his  own 
deeds." 

"  Give  me  to  know  this  mystery." 

"  To  bind  the  sweet  influence  of  the  Pleiades  is 
the  opposite  of  loosing  the  belt  of  Orion,"  an 
swered  Akaza. 

"  It  has  not  been  granted  me  to  know  the  signifi 
cance  of  either,"  responded  Yermah,  humbly. 

"  Alcyone,  the  central  sun  around  which  the  spiral 
galaxy  of  the  firmament  encompassed  in  the  Milky 
Way,  and  all  the  stars,  suns  and  planets  included 
in  that  circle,  are  revolving  in  the  only  one  of  the 
seven  sisters  whose  love  is  mortal.  From  out  that 
center  issues  evermore  a  ray  of  the  divine  creative 
spirit,  coalescing  into  the  life  of  animate  nature 
here. 

"  The  adept  gathers  the  component  parts  of  that 
incomprehensible  being  —  man  —  to  his  divine 
center,"  Akaza  continued.  "  He  wills  them  into  the 
being  of  another,  and  that  other  becomes  the  mother 
of  a  son,  given  from  the  depths  of  space.  Such  a 
son  art  thou,  Yermah." 

"And  thou  art  in  very  truth  my  father?"  asked 
Yermah,  wonderingly. 


168  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  Yes.  For  this  cause  am  I  in  the  flesh,  and  for 
this,  also,  must  I  remain  in  the  body,  until  thou  art 
restored  to  the  Brotherhood.  I  am  the  hierophant, 
the  second  in  power  in  our  order.  So  it  was  granted 
to  me  to  create  an  entity  which  should  rule  the 
future  as  Atlantis  rules  the  present." 

"  Tell  me  all  of  my  beginning.  How  and  why 
this  should  be.  Thou  wert  an  old  man  when  I  was 
born;  and  thou  art  a  vowed  celibate?  " 

"  Swear  by  Him  who  made  us  that  thou  wilt  not 
reveal  what  I  am  about  to  unfold." 

He  held  up  a  six-pointed  diamond  star  which 
blazed  on  his  bosom  for  the  Dorado  to  kiss,  as  they 
stood  facing  each  other.  As  Yermah's  lips  touched 
the  center,  he  turned  to  the  east,  and,  with  both 
hands  clasped  over  his  head,  said  solemnly: 

"  I  swear." 

"  A  priest  of  our  order,  under  the  same  tutelage 
as  Orondo,  was  thy  literal  father,  while  thy  mother 
was  a  vestal  selected  from  the  Temple  of  Venus. 
Thy  great-grandfather,  grandfather  and  father  were 
of  the  priesthood,  and  their  wives  were  selected 
vestals.  To  the  prophet,  hierophant  and  high-priest 
was  the  divine  self  confided,  and  we  were  pledged 
to  produce  a  ruler  for  this  generation.  We  willed 
the  conditions  which  gave  thee  birth  and  I  must 
share  thy  joys  and  sorrows  until  such  time  as  the 
Brotherhood  releases  me." 

"  Then  I  am  not  of  royal  lineage  —  am  not  the 
son  of  Poseidon,  Servitor  of  Atlantis?"  There 
was  pain  and  disappointment  in  Yermah's  voice. 

"  Thou  art  royal  in  the  highest  and  best  sense. 
Thou  art  immaculately  conceived,  as  is  the  sun  by 
the  cosmic  virgin,  when  he  has  been  standing  still 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  169 

in  Capricornus.  It  is  said  everywhere  that  a  dew- 
drop  fell  on  thy  virgin  mother's  bosom,  as  she  lay 
asleep  in  a  sacred  grove.  Such  was  thy  beginning." 

"  Then  he  to  whom  I  have  rendered  obedience  is 
not  in  any  sense  my  father?  " 

"  No.  Thou  art  a  veritable  sun-god,  destined  to 
be  thrice  born  in  this  life." 

"Oh!  Akaza,  why  speakest  thou  in  riddles? 
Thrice  born,  indeed !  How  is  it  possible  without 
death  and  re-birth?  " 

Akaza  smiled  at  his  impatience. 

"  I  charged  thee  in  the  beginning  to  remember 
that  there  is  a  dual  meaning  to  all  labors  that  a  candi 
date  for  the  initiation  must  perform.  Thou  hast 
already  had  two  births  in  this  body,  and  art  facing 
the  third." 

Yermah  could  not  conceal  his  astonishment. 

"  The  first  birth  was  at  twelve  years  and  six 
months,  when  the  sex  principle  began  to  assert  itself. 
This  acme  of  sensuous  existence  culminates  at 
twenty-five  years,  when  intellect  has  its  birth  and  the 
mind  becomes  capable  of  reasoning.  Before  that 
time  sensation  and  instinct  have  served  for  indi 
vidual  thought.  The  new  rate  of  vibration  set  in 
motion  at  the  birth  of  desire  is  the  beginning  of  dis 
cord  in  the  personality.  Many  times  before  in 
tellect  can  assert  itself  the  impetus  for  a  plunge  to 
the  downward  spiral  is  overwhelmingly  strong." 

"  What,  then,  befalls  the  divine  self?  " 

"  On  the  material  plane  it  is  the  brutalizing  proc 
ess  which  prevents  the  divine  self  from  contacting 
the  physical.  When  this  happens  the  man  has 
really  lost  his  soul.  Saturn  is  the  planet  correlated 
to  the  finding  of  the  Perfect  Way.  It  is  the  mill 


170  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

of  the  gods,  which  grinds  out  the  imperfections  of 
human  nature.  The  three  phases  of  immaculate 
conception  are  closely  allied  to  the  three  re-births 
which  take  place  in  the  physical  man." 

"  Eagerness  to  master  this  hidden  knowledge 
proves  the  quality  of  fellowship,"  said  Yermah,  anx 
ious  that  Akaza  should  go  fully  into  details. 

"  The  twelve  markings  of  the  zodiac  contain  the 
arcane  wisdom  of  our  order." 

Before  Yermah  could  frame  a  suitable  answer  to 
fit  in  the  pause,  Akaza  continued : 

"  The  Ineffable  One  is  a  trinity  of  Necessity, 
Freedom  and  Love.  An  ideal  is  the  result  of  neces 
sity,  and  all  our  ideal  conceptions  are  the  outcome 
of  our  absolute  need.  It  is  in  the  achievement  of 
freedom  that  the  divine  within  us  labors,  and  on 
this  is  based  love.  Life  is  the  great  vineyard  of 
the  father,  and  all  his  children  must  toil  in  it  until 
the  end.  When  in  the  process  of  regeneration  man 
is  so  far  perfected  as  to  see  the  mysterious  beauty 
of  his  being,  he  knows  that  the  trials  and  labors 
imposed  upon  him  by  the  laws  of  cause  and  effect  are 
at  once  a  necessity  and  a  blessing,  and  he  will  no 
longer  seek  to  escape  them. 

"  There  is  constant  warfare  between  Desire  and 
Intelligence,"  the  hierophant  continued.  "  Why 
must  thou  struggle  to  overcome?  Because  the  only 
difference  between  an  imbecile  and  a  genius  is  the 
ability  of  the  spirit  or  divine  self  to  function  on  the 
physical  plane  of  the  genius  and  its  utter  inability  to 
influence  the  fool.  Thine  own  conduct  in  this  life 
determines  which  of  these  extremes  thou  wilt  be 
come  in  the  next.  Atavism  and  heredity  intensify 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  171 

these  tendencies;  so  does  the  influence  of  the  planets. 
But  neither  the  one  nor  the  other  can  produce  them. 
Thou  must  do  this  by  the  exercise  of  will  power. 
The  union  of  desire  and  mind  forms  the  personality. 
Each  attribute  is  triple  —  active,  passive  and 
equilibrated." 

After  a  slight  pause,  Akaza  went  on : 
"  Thou  must  wield  each  triad  into  a  unity.  This 
is  real  initiation  —  the  consummation  of  perfect 
harmony.  Thou  hast  long  since  gone  beyond  the 
reach  of  impure  thoughts  emanating  from  the  five 
sub-human  orders  of  creation.  When  impure  char 
acteristics  are  removed  the  first  labor  is  performed. 
Thy  studies  and  all  knowledge  received  is  the  second 
labor,  because  it  prepared  thee  for  esoteric  science. 

"  The  power  of  thought,"  continued  Akaza,  "  if 
rightly  used,  enables  a  man  to  transcend  creation. 
Misused,  it  will  cause  him  to  retrograde  into  the 
condition  where  self  is  the  great  object  of  exist 
ence,  and  the  appetites  of  the  body  are  the  only 
deities  to  whom  he  sacrifices.  For  such  beings  the 
uprisings  of  knowledge  (the  wiles  of  Circe)  glitter 
with  fascinating  light,  because  further  knowledge 
will  enable  them  to  minister  to  their  desires.  This, 
my  son,  is  a  dangerous  situation  for  an  immortal 
soul.  What  was  intended  as  a  blessing  becomes  a 
curse." 

"  Have  I  transgressed  in  this  respect?  " 
"  No.     Thou  art  safe  on  that  point." 
Knowledge  is  Circe  in  Greek  —  Serket  in  Egyp 
tian.     It  is  the   enchantress,   whose   realm   may  be 
enjoyed  by  those  who  know  the  herb  "  Moly."     This 
word  comes  from  the  same  root  as  the  Latin  Molo, 


172  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

and  the  Swedish  Mjoll,  to  grind,  indicating  the  proc 
ess  of  grinding  out  human  passions.  It  gives  the 
Norse  Mjolner,  the  hammer  of  Thor,  or  Will. 

The  same  meaning  is  implied  in  the  weapon  used 
by  Kanza  in  killing  the  infants  of  Desire. 

"  The  abuse  of  this  quality  is  what  brings  trouble 
to  our  countrymen,"  said  Akaza.  "  Atlantis  is  a 
hotbed  of  black  magic;  that  is,  inverted  wisdom. 
And  they  must  suffer  for  it.  Setos  and  Rahula  are 
the  only  devotees  of  this  school  we  have  with  us." 

"  Why  didst  thou  bring  them?  " 

"  It  was  necessary —  for  thy  sake  —  my  beloved. 
In  the  performance  of  the  third  labor  the  first  hour 
of  the  day  begins;  the  two  preceding  labors  being 
only  the  dawn  of  partial  wisdom.  As  knowledge 
is  the  fruition  of  Will  —  the  principle  of  the  second 
hour  of  dawn  —  so  Love  is  the  purpose  of  the 
Divine  Creator.  This  purpose  must  subdue  its  an 
tithesis —  the  lust  for  material  power  and  gain." 

"  If  the  material  body  is  not  kept  in  a  healthy 
condition,  the  spirit  and  the  soul  cannot  be  per 
fected,"  continued  Akaza. 

"  This  is  not  a  fault  of  mine,"  returned  Yermah, 
with  a  touch  of  pride. 

"  Thou  hast  guarded  the  temple  well.  The  sun 
never  shone  on  a  more  perfect  physical  type.  The 
fifth  labor,"  the  hierophant  went  on,  "  is  equili 
brated  Will  —  the  caduceus  which  our  order  carries 
and  uses  as  a  wand.  It  is  a  spear  in  the  hands  of 
an  adept,  who  compels  all  secrets  and  who  knows 
all  things.  It  can  be  developed  only  by  temperance 
and  moderation.  It  is  an  unlimited  power  for  good 
or  evil  which  thou  boldest  in  thy  possession.  In 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  173 

thy  body  it  is  the  solar  plexus  or  brain  of  the 
stomach.  The  twelve  plexi  around  it  are  the  full 
gamut  of  physical  and  spiritual  desire.  Here  thou 
couldst  use  thy  knowledge  with  great  harm  to  thy 
fellows,  and  more  to  thyself." 

"But  why  should  I?" 

"  For  no  reason,  unless  it  be  to  gratify  some  wish 
lying  near  thy  heart.  We  neither  act  nor  speak, 
much  less  decide  a  question  concerning  ourselves, 
except  we  have  a  motive." 

"  My  motive  is  simple  enough.  Thou  hast  told 
me  that  love  is  the  first  triad.  I  love  with  all  my 
heart." 

"  No  need  of  words  to  assure  me  of  this.  I  have 
foreseen  it  from  the  first." 

"And  thou  hast  not  opposed  me?  Then  thou 
wilt  favor  it?  "  The  Dorado  was  as  impulsive  as 
a  boy. 

"  I  will  not  oppose  it.  The  great  secret  of  ini 
tiation  lies  in  the  magnetic  warmth  of  love.  It  is 
a  threefold  principle,  the  lowest  phase  of  which  is 
sex  love.  This  is  the  poetry  of  sensation.  It  per 
tains  to  the  material  nature,  and  is  therefore  im 
permanent." 

"  Oh,  Akaza !  How  canst  thou  say  that  my  love 
for  Keroecia  will  pass  away.  I  feel  that  it  never 
can." 

"  In  the  sense  of  feeling,  it  certainly  will  not  en 
dure.  But  this  phase  of  love  has  three  parts.  We 
reach  divinity  on  its  upper  plane,  because  it  be 
comes  transmuted  from  animal  desire  to  a  soul  in 
flux.  This  will  come  as  a  benediction  to  sweeten 
the  very  fountain-head  of  thy  individuality." 


174 YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  Then  I  was  right  in  claiming  mine  own.  I  have 
not  broken  my  vow,  even  in  thought,"  responded 
Yermah  hopefully. 

"  But  thou  wilt.  In  so  much  as  thou  wilt  imperil 
immortality  thou  must  suffer.  Be  of  good  cheer. 
Whatever  pain  may  come  will  soon  pass.  Nothing 
of  the  real  love  and  union  between  thee  will  ever 
cease  to  be." 

"  The  seventh  labor,"  Akaza  continued,  after  a 
thoughtful  pause,  "  is  the  slaying  of  the  vampire  of 
procrastination  —  the  temptation  to  halt  in  the  path 
of  duty.  Thou  wilt  naturally  think  thy  work  com 
pleted  when  thou  art  allowed  to  return  to  Atlantis." 

"Why  not?" 

"  Thou  wilt  not  return  to  Poseidon's  kingdom  for 
many  days.  Atlantis  is  doomed." 

"Akaza,  what  art  thou  saying?"  In  his  excite 
ment  Yermah  shook  the  hierophant's  arm  vigorously. 

"  Thou  art  forbidden  to  give  to  others  what  thou 
Kast  learned.  The  world  needs  thee  more  than  thou 
Canst  imagine.  Thou  art  now  facing  the  eighth 
labor  of  initiation." 

"  I  know  this.  But  is  it  not  true  that  I  shall  tip 
the  spires  of  the  temple  building?  Must  I  not  do 
this  with  mine  own  hands?  " 

"  Thou  must  subjugate  all  internal  and  external 
hindrances  first." 

"  What  is  that,  if  not  what  I  have  already 
mentioned?  Was  it  not  so  from  the  beginning?  In 
each  colony  visited  have  I  not  obeyed  the  laws? 
This  year  finishes  my  sojourn  away  from  Atlantis. 
Thou  wilt  remember  that  I  am  to  have  my  wish 
when  the  last  labor  has  been  completed." 
'  '"-So«thoii  shalt" 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  175 

"  Then  I  shall  have  Keroecia  for  my  wife,  and 
live  in  peace." 

"  Thou  wilt  neither  espouse  Keroecia  nor  live  in 
peace.  Marriage  to  thee  is  forbidden.  Only  the 
commonplace  mortal  is  content  to  vegetate,  procreate 
and  perish."  Then  after  a  pause,  he  added: 
"  Thine  is  not  only  race  condition,  Yermah,  but  be 
fore  thou  wert  born,  the  Brotherhood  decreed  it  for 
thee." 

"  Thou  —  thou  durst  tell  this  to  me,  the  future 
Servitor  of  Atlantis  and  all  her  dependencies!  Out 
upon  thee  and  thy  Brotherhood!  I  will  not  sub 
mit  to  thy  decrees !  Thou  —  thou  hast  made  me 
believe  in  thy  love.  Is  this  the  language  of  consider 
ation?  The  Brotherhood  demands  all  that  I  value 
in  life!  Thou  sayest  that  I  have  not  failed  so  far. 
Be  assured  that  I  shall  succeed  finally." 

"  Thou  hast  already  developed  the  feminine  prin 
ciple  within  thee  and  hast  assumed  the  flowing  locks 
and  robe,  so  that  thy  fellows  may  know  thou  art 
fit  to  lead  them.  My  personal  tutorship  goes  no 
farther.  Thy  future  is  distinctly  in  thine  own  hands, 
Yermah."  Akaza  gave  a  soft  reply,  and  his  rash 
hot-headed  companion  was  mollified. 

"  Give  thy  tongue  full  license,  Akaza.  What 
does  the  Brotherhood  require  of  its  fellows?  "  Yer 
mah  was  still  the  master  of  Tlamco.  His  tone  and 
manner  betrayed  it. 

"  Absolute  freedom  must  be  achieved  before  the 
candidate  can  enter  the  Gates  of  Light."  Akaza 
was  quiet,  but  firm. 

"  Freedom  from  what?  " 

"  From  the  enslavement  of  Desire.  Man's  per 
verted  love  nature  is  the  great  stumbling  block." 


176  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Yermah's  face  was  aflame  in  an  instant.  He  was 
furiously  angry.  He  turned  toward  Akaza  with  a 
threatening  gesture,  while  his  resentment  was  at 
flood  tide.  Then  his  arm  fell  aimlessly  to  his  side. 
He  realized  that  it  was  shocking  to  quarrel  with  his 
preceptor  —  his  spiritual  father  —  the  man  who  had 
unselfishly  followed  him  from  one  colony  to  another 
for  the  past  seven  years. 

The  Dorado  held  his  tongue,  but  with  an  impetu 
ous  fling  of  the  cloak  over  his  shoulder,  he  abruptly 
left  the  hierophant. 

They  were  on  the  beach  opposite  the  present  life- 
saving  station,  and  were  coming  back  to  the  cave. 
With  swift,  swinging  strides  Yermah  turned  toward 
Tlamco,  and  was  soon  headed  for  the  western 'gate 
of  its  walled  enclosure. 

"  I  am  not  to  make  my  love  self-identifying,"  he 
muttered  savagely.  "  Am  I,  then,  to  love  my  ideal 
without  desire  for  possession?  He  asks  what  I  can 
not  do.  I  should  be  no  part  of  a  man  if  I  could  sub 
mit  like  this !  No !  A  thousand  times  —  no !  —  I 
have  tasted  the  wine  of  life  on  her  sweet  lips !  —  She 
shall  claim  a  king's  ransom  in  return  !  —  And  this,  he 
says,  will  imperil  my  soul !  —  So  be  it !  —  This  is 
what  love  means  to  me !  " 

There  was  that  in  Yermah  which  would  brook 
no  interference.  Docility  and  obedience,  both  his 
habit  and  inclination,  were  routed  completely  by  the 
whirlwind  of  resentment  having  control  of  him. 
Self  made  a  strong  rally,  and,  for  a  time,  he  was  in 
toxicated  with  the  idea  of  defying  Akaza.  He 
gloried  in  his  ability  to  think  and  to  act  for  him 
self.  It  was  his  happiness,  his  love,  and  in  the 
future  he  would  do  as  he  pleased.  This  was  instinct 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  177 

deeper  than  reason;  not  conscious  lust  nor  sensuality 
—  for  he  mentally  idealized  Keroecia. 

This  quality  was  the  same  which  arouses  an  animal 
similarly  thwarted  to  the  highest  pitch  of  ferocity. 
Passion,  heretofore  a  latent  force  strengthening  and 
sweetening  his  whole  nature,  now  suddenly  flared 
into  tempestuous  activity  on  its  own  account.  Op 
position  at  this  juncture  would  have  rendered  Yer- 
mah  capable  of  murder. 

The  line  of  demarcation  between  the  virgin  mind 
and  partial  realization  was  forever  obliterated. 
Yermah  knew  desire.  And  its  demands  were  all 
the  more  urgent  because  of  long-delayed  expression. 


CHAPTER  FOURTEEN 

THE  VIRGIN  EARTH  WILL  NOT  SUBMIT  TO  MAN'S 
DEFILEMENT 

AKAZA  tottered  along  the  shore,  shaken  and 
agonized  by  Yermah's  anger.  The  wind 
tangled  his  thin  locks,  and  played  sad  pranks 
with  the  mantle  enveloping  his  body.  Sometimes  it 
seemed  bent  on  snapping  him  in  two,  and  then  it  al 
most  whipped  the  life  out  of  him  —  that  life  tenure 
which  was  feeble  and  old  even  when  Yermah's 
generation  began. 

The  tears  streamed  down  his  withered  cheeks  and 
dripped  unheeded  from  the  snow-white  beard.  His 
breathing  was  labored  and  hard  when  he  arrived  at 
the  entrance  to  the  cave,  and  his  slight  frame  shook 
with  emotion  as  he  turned  toward  the  broad  Pacific, 
seeking  to  calm  his  agitation. 

He  stretched  out  his  hands  imploringly  to  the 
vast  deep  spread  out  before  him,  as  the  waves,  with 
a  sullen  roar,  dashed  their  spray  over  the  rocks  at 
his  feet. 

"  Great  God !  "  he  cried  in  a  stricken  voice,  "  My 
heart  bleeds  for  Yermah.  The  rays  of  the  sun 
should  make  a  halo  around  his  dear  head. —  How 
hard  that  there  is  no  real  strength  except  that  born 
of  suffering  —  no  enduring  experience  except  it  be 
seared  into  the  heart's  core  I  —  I  have  tried  not  to 
attach  myself  to  results ;  but  how  can  I  help  it  ?  — 

178 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  179 

Oh,  Amrah!  I  shall  not  fail  thee!  Amenti,  thou 
canst  trust  me!  My  oath  binds  me  for  all  time. 
This  body  may  succumb  in  the  trial,  but  I  will  de 
liver  this  trust  back  to  thee  as  thou  art  expecting  to 
receive  it !  —  Give  me  strength  to  stand  by  helplessly 
while  Yermah  suffers!  Oh,  Brotherhood,  give  me 
the  strength  to  endure  I  " 

He  sank  down  upon  a  rock  from  sheer  exhaustion 
and  was  silent. 

For  a  time  there  was  no  sign  of  life  in  the  bent 
motionless  figure  peering  far  out  into  space,  as  if  he 
were  seeing  the  visioned  future. 

"  Oh,  woman !  "  he  cried,  "  Divine  part  of  crea 
tive  wisdom !  —  Incarnation  of  man's  ideal  of 
spiritual  perfection!  When  will  man  recognize  in 
thee  the  means  of  reorganizing  the  world,  and  place 
thee  on  the  pedestal  of  his  intellectual  greatness! 
When  will  he  cease  to  crucify  thee  on  the  diverse 
and  conflicting  polarity  of  his  passional  will? 
Woman  lies  a  crushed  and  soiled  lily;  while  man,  the 
victim  of  vengeance  to  the  powers  of  nature,  wanders 
a  fugitive  on  the  earth,  chained  to  the  hell  of  his 
depraved  imagination  —  The  Great  Spirit  of  Light 
and  Wisdom  is  to  him  a  tormenting  fiend!  " 

After  a  time,  Akaza  went  into  the  cave.  The  fire 
had  warmed  the  interior,  and  the  lamps  shed  a 
softened  glow,  which  was  comforting  to  the  weary 
old  man. 

He  was  hungry,  but  the  food  seemed  almost  to 
choke  him.  It  had  pleased  his  fancy  to  have  Yer 
mah  break  bread  and  eat  salt  with  him  in  this 
hidden  retreat.  In  his  weakness,  he  was  sorely  dis 
appointed,  and  it  cost  him  an  effort  to  refrain  from 
whimpering  childishly. 


180  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Akaza  awoke  with  a  sudden  start  from  a  troubled 
sleep.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  he  made  his  way  to 
the  mouth  of  the  cavern  and  saw  that  the  sun  was 
hopelessly  obscured  by  what  appeared  to  be  a  heavy 
fog.  He  went  back  and  threw  himself  down  on  the 
cushions  and  rugs  where  he  had  been  sleeping,  and 
there  he  would  wait  patiently  until  the  time  of  sun 
set.  If  it  were  possible  to  get  a  glimpse  of  the  Lord 
of  Day  at  that  hour,  he  would  go  back  to  the  Temple 
of  Neptune,  where  he  lived. 

Later,  when  Akaza  was  removing  the  temporary 
shutters  at  the  entrance  to  the  cave,  a  gust  of  wind 
blew  the  raindrops  into  his  face.  He  knew  at  a 
glance  that  it  would  be  a  stormy  night.  The  wind 
was  rising,  and  the  lowering,  black  clouds  gave  prom 
ise  of  a  heavy  downpour. 

The  sun  crosses  the  earth's  magnetic  meridian 
twice  every  twenty-four  hours  —  once  at  sunrise,  and 
again  at  sunset. 

Akaza  made  three  obeisances  toward  the  west  and 
stood  motionless,  drinking  in  the  sweet  influences  of 
the  sunset  hour.  His  lips  moved  in  silent  prayer. 
For  several  minutes  he  communed  with  the  subjective 
world,  just  coming  into  its  waking  activity.  The 
physical  world  was  falling  asleep,  and  with  it  went 
the  agitating  thoughts  of  the  day. 

He  was  renewing  his  spiritual  vigor,  listening  to 
the  Voice  of  the  Silence,  holding  converse  with  his 
own  soul.  As  he  took  counsel  of  his  higher  self,  the 
bells  of  the  Observatory  tower  in  Tlamco  sounded 
like  a  silvery-tinkling  seashell,  faint  but  distinct  to 
his  clairaudient  ear. 

"Peace!  peace!  peace!"  they  seemed  to  say, 
while  the  lines  of  care  slowly  relaxed,  and  the  face 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  181 

of  the  devotee  was  as  serene  and  calm  as  a  May 
morning. 

The  fireplace  and  entrance  to  the  cave  were  so  ar 
ranged  that  it  was  easy  to  produce  a  draught;  so, 
when  Akaza  renewed  by  meditation  and  prayer,  re 
turned  to  the  fire,  the  atmosphere  surrounding  him 
was  fresh  and  pure.  He  made  the  door  fast  and 
prepared  to  remain  for  the  night,  for  it  would  tax 
his  physical  strength  too  much  to  walk  back  to 
Tlamco  in  the  storm.  As  familiar  objects  outside 
seemed  to  be  swallowed  up  in  a  black  pit,  he  drew 
a  stool  up  beside  the  zodiacal  wheel  in  the  center  of 
the  living-room,  and  by  the  light  of  a  lowered  lamp 
began  to  carefully  compare  and  compute  the  bearings 
of  the  planets  and  houses  of  the  horoscope  before 
him.  Presently  he  looked  up  and  listened  intently. 
Could  it  be  that  he  heard  some  one  calling  him? 
Was  it  an  unseen  entity,  or  was  it  the  wind  shriek 
ing  through  the  crevices  about  the  entrance?  Re 
gaining  his  feet,  he  groped  his  way  toward  the 
sound.  There  could  be  no  mistake  —  it  was  near 
the  door. 

"Akaza!  Akaza!  Hear  me!  Open  —  open  the 
door,  I  beseech  thee !  " 

It  was  a  human  voice  in  dynamic  utterance,  which 
the  roar  of  the  ocean  nearly  drowned,  despite  the 
efforts  of  the  wind  to  hurl  it  through  the  doorway. 

Akaza  hastened  to  comply  with  the  request. 
Suddenly  he  stood  face  to  face  with  Yermah,  shiver 
ing,  wet  and  mud-stained. 

"  Oh,  Akaza !  "  he  cried,  kneeling  before  the  old 
man  and  kissing  the  hem  of  his  garment,  "  say  that 
thou  wilt  forgive  me !  I  can  have  no  peace  until 
I  am  restored  to  thy  favor." 


182  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Akaza  laid  his  hands  upon  the  head  that  had  been 
bared  to  the  storm. 

"  Thou  standest  always  in  the  shelter  of  my  love, 
Yermah,"  he  said,  gently.  "  Offense  were  not  pos 
sible  from  thy  lips.  Be  no  longer  humble  in  my 
presence."  He  helped  the  Dorado  to  arise,  and  lead 
ing  him  toward  the  fire,  continued: 

"  Let  genial  warmth  restore  thy  peace  of  mind. 
The  elements  have  undone  thee." 

"  Distemper  vanished  with  reflection,"  returned 
Yermah,  anxiously,  as  he  drew  off  his  wet  mantle  and 
threw  it  to  one  side,  "  but  remorse  tortured  me  and 
drove  me  to  thy  feet,  sad  and  repentant." 

Akaza  patted  him  affectionately  on  the  shoulder, 
and  occupied  himself  with  the  change  of  clothing  he 
was  improvising  from  his  own  garments.  He  sub 
stituted  a  purple  robe  for  the  water-soaked  tunic, 
gave  Yermah  sandals,  and  finally  wrapped  his  own 
cloak  around  him. 

"Thy  attendants,  Yermah?  It  were  not  well  to 
leave  them  to  the  mercies  of  air  and  water  lashed  to 
fury." 

"  None  saw  me  leave  laqua.  Neither  man  nor 
beast  shall  suffer  because  of  my  misdeeds,"  said  the 
Dorado.  "  It  has  taken  all  this  time  to  find  my  way. 
The  dying  day  left  me  resolved." 

"  Thy  spirit  called  to  mine  at  that  hour,"  said 
Akaza  with  a  glad  smile.  "  I  felt  it  then." 

"  And  wilt  thou  have  me  for  thy  companion  for 
the  night?"  questioned  Yermah,  happy  in  the 
restoration  of  harmony  between  them. 

"  That  were  the  wish  nearest  my  heart,"  said 
Akaza,  pouring  hot  water  into  a  silver  cup,  into 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  183 

which  he  had  already  measured  some  spirits  of 
maguey,  some  spices,  and  a  bit  of  lemon. 

"  Sweeten  as  thy  appetite  dictates,"  he  continued, 
as  he  handed  the  cup  to  his  visitor.  "  And  may 
the  Father  of  All  Mysteries  attend  thy  ventures  in 
the  future." 

Yermah  arranged  his  disordered  locks,  and  then 
nestled  down  beside  Akaza  in  a  caressing  boyish 
fashion.  It  was  plain  that  he  had  something  on  his 
mind.  Finally,  with  considerable  hesitation,  he 
broke  the  silence  by  asking: 

"  Will  the  unbridled  license  of  my  tongue  to-day 
count  against  me  with  the  Brotherhood?  " 

His  open  countenance  clearly  showed  what  he 
feared. 

"  Only  emotional  natures  make  acceptable  bearers 
of  the  Light,"  responded  Akaza.  "  A  mean, 
starved  love  nature  is  never  an  acceptable  sacrifice, 
nor  can  such  an  one  be  an  ideal  for  other  men." 

A  troubled,  hunted  look  overspread  Akaza's  face, 
but  Yermah's  gaze  was  bent  on  the  horoscope,  under 
the  full  glare  of  the  lamp,  and  he  did  not  notice  it. 
He  sighed  contentedly  when  Akaza  finished  speak 
ing,  and  for  several  minutes  he  tried  to  discern  the 
meaning  of  the  map. 

"  The  portent  of  thy  words  concerning  our  father 
land  lingers  with  me.  Was  it  thy  purpose  to  share 
thy  knowledge  with  me?  " 

He  looked  up  with  a  winning  smile,  and  caught 
Akaza's  eyes  fixed  upon  him  in  undisguised  admira 
tion.  The  lamplight  brought  out  the  sheen  of  his 
yellow  hair,  lying  damp  and  wavy  upon  his  shoulders, 
and  the  pointed  beard  was  short  enough  to  show  his 


184  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

muscular  white  throat  where  the  purple  robe  fell 
away,  minus  its  jeweled  gorget.  A  strawberry 
cleverly  imitated  in  enamel,  suspended  from  a  gold 
chain  around  his  neck  had  slipped  out  from  the  folds 
of  his  robe  and  dangled  toward  the  table  at  which 
both  were  seated.  Akaza  pointed  to  it  with  a  smile. 
He  instinctively  refrained  from  touching  it,  thinking 
it  might  be  a  cherished  memento.  As  it  lay  on  the 
palm  of  Yermah's  hand,  he  took  note  of  the  inscrip 
tion:  With  all  my  heart. 

Yermah  saw  it  too,  and  pressing  the  words  to  his 
lips,  slipped  the  trinket  into  his  bosom. 

"  Now,"  said  Akaza,  mindful  of  the  movement, 
"  lend  thy  attention,  and  I  shall  tell  thee  what  the 
stars  indicate  is  in  store  for  our  beloved  country. 
First,  let  me  make  plain  the  signification  of  these 
figures,"  he  continued,  using  the  ivory  caduceus  as  a 
pointer. 

"  The  great  band,  or  circle,  of  the  zodiac  repre 
sents  the  circumference  of  the  universe,  which  con 
tains  the  essence  of  creation.  It  is  the  cosmic  egg, 
holding  the  germ  within  itself.  The  center  of  the 
zodiacal  ring  is  the  sun,  the  former  representing  the 
casket,  the  latter  the  jewel. 

"  So  is  it  with  the  physical  form,"  continued  the 
hierophant.  "  It  is  not  the  mind,  but  that  which  con 
tains  it.  Suppose  we  consider  the  motion  of  this  dot 
within  the  circle  when  Desire  has  energized  its  move 
ment.  First  a  ray  will  shoot  out  in  one  direction,  and 
another  in  an  opposite  direction,  forming  four 
angles  constituting  the  four  elements  —  hydrogen, 
oxygen,  carbon,  nitrogen." 

As  Akaza  spoke  he  rapidly  sketched  a  swastika, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  185 

the  revolving  cross,  and  then  he  drew  a  small  circle, 
a  cresent,  or  half-circle  and  a  Maltese  cross. 

"  These  three  factors  represent  spirit,  soul  and 
body, —  or  sun,  moon  and  earth.  In  the  circle  we 
have  spirit  active;  in  the  cross,  latent.  This  is  invo 
lution  and  evolution,  pure  and  simple.  The  circle  is 
the  builder  of  new  forms,  the  half-circle  is  the  pre 
server,  and  the  cross  is  the  destroyer." 

Memphis,  in  Egypt,  was  the  builder  of  a  new 
civilization,  receiving  its  impetus  from  the  immigra 
tion  and  settlement  of  a  band  of  white  magicians  from 
Atlantis,  under  the  leadership  of  Amrah,  the  prophet 
of  the  hierarchy  to  which  Akaza  was  attached. 

The  Llama  City  on  the  banks  of  the  Brahmaputra 
River,  in  the  fastnesses  of  the  Himalaya  Mountains, 
in  Thibet,  where  none  of  the  modern  races  have  pene 
trated,  was  the  preserver  of  arcane  wisdom;  while 
Tlamco  under  Akaza,  represented  the  section  of  the 
earth  which  was  to  be  destroyed.  Akaza  was  the 
hierophant  of  the  triad,  and  Kadmon  was  the  patri 
arch  whose  faithful  followers  were  to  carry  the  light 
to  India. 

"  We  shall  represent  Desire,  Force  and  Energy 
by  placing  the  cross  over  the  circle,"  said  Akaza  still 
illustrating  with  a  fragment  of  burned  camphor  and 
the  pointed  caduceus. 

What  he  drew  was  the  present  symbol  of  the 
planet  Mars. 

"  Here  we  have  spirit  pushing  on  toward  manifes 
tation,  producing  Experience  —  the  supreme  teacher. 
The  negative  is  over  the  positive,  and  this  gives  us 
both  construction  and  destruction.  Let  us  destroy 
it  —  place  the  cross  under  the  circle  —  and  we  have 


186  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

a  true  symbol  of  Love.  Spirit  has  forced  its  way 
through  matter,  and  it  has  become  one  with  itself." 

He  turned  to  Yermah  and  took  both  his  hands  in 
his  own.  Looking  at  him  earnestly,  Akaza  said: 

"  Never  forget  what  I  am  saying  to  thee  now. 
Until  love  has  entered  our  hearts,  we  are  not  in  touch 
with  anything  in  nature.  Love  is  the  soul;  and  until 
we  feel  its  sweet  influences  in  our  lives,  we  go  on 
seeking  fresh  experiences  on  the  cross  of  discord. 
Love  produces  harmony.  Desire  produces  discord. 
The  sun  represents  the  planet  which  sheds  these  in 
fluences,  and  therefore  stands  for  Power.  This  is 
the  golden  bowl,  the  essence  of  Life  itself.  The 
cross  and  the  circle  are  the  hieroglyphs  of  our  spirit 
ual  nature." 

Akaza's  look  became  abstracted  and  intense,  and 
he  mechanically  pushed  his  hair  up  from  his  fore 
head. 

"  I  see  by  a  glance  into  the  future  that  these 
symbols  will  become  the  phallic  emblems  of  sex-wor 
ship,  which  will  touch  the  lowest  rung  of  the  down 
ward  spiral.  Woman  is  destined  to  suffer  much  on 
this  account,  and  from  another  event  which  is  close 
at  hand." 

"  Thou  hast  made  plain  the  creative  phase,"  said 
Yermah,  after  a  pause,  wishing  to  bring  Akaza  back 
to  the  subject  in  hand. 

"  Let  us  concern  ourselves  with  the  mind,  whose 
dual  phases  are  shown  by  the  half-circle.  If  we 
place  the  cross  over  the  half-circle  we  have  the 
Tempter  of  humanity,  because  this  exalts  matter  over 
mind.  It  is  the  great  centralizing  of  self. 

"  Every  one  must  pass  these  limitations  and  meet 
the  Great  Judge,"  the  hierophant  continued,  "  and 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  187 

He,  in  the  heavens,  guards  Himself  with  triple  rings. 
No  spirit  goes  through  the  Gates  of  Light  into  His 
presence  except  he  be  well  weighed  in  the  balance  of 
the  seventh  sign." 

"  This  is  the  same  as  initiation  into  the  Brother 
hood,"  returned  Yermah,  involuntarily. 

"  It  is  the  planetary  aspect  of  the  labor  thou  art 
soon  to  perform." 

Akaza  did  not  wish  to  go  more  into  detail;  so  he 
hastened  to  say: 

"  If  we  place  the  half-circle  over  the  cross,  we 
have  mind  risen  over  matter,  and  compassion  is  the 
result.  Then  we  have  learned  the  value  of  mercy. 
The  true  spirit  of  devotion  comes  from  the  belted 
planet.  It  abuses  none  who  are  struggling  upward, 
but  lends  a  helping  hand  to  all." 

Seeing  that  Akaza  laid  down  the  caduceus  and 
drew  the  horoscope  closer  to  him,  Yermah  said : 

"  Thou  hast  given  the  symbol  of  only  six  planets. 
Hast  thou  forgotten  the  seventh?  " 

"  No.  That  planet  is  made  up  of  three  factors 
combined;  the  circle  is  in  the  center;  the  cross,  be 
low;  and  the  half-circle,  above.  This  is  the  essence 
of  wisdom.  It  is  perfected  manhood,  and  it  flies 
through  the  cosmos  in  search  of  the  Infinite,  whose 
messenger  it  is." 

Uranus  and  Neptune  are  octaves  of  Mercury  and 
Venus,  and  belong  to  the  spiritual  triad,  Saturn  be 
ing  the  first. 

"  Tell  me  of  the  duality  of  the  spirit,  soul  and 
body?"  asked  Yermah,  for  the  first  time  making  it 
plain  that  he  was  thinking  over  what  had  been  told 
him  during  the  day. 

"  Spirit  pure  and  simple  is  the  Word  which  was 


188  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

in  the  Beginning.  This  has  three  phases,  motion 
and  breath  being  the  other  two.  The  Ineffable 
moved,  breathed  and  spoke  and  the  created  universe, 
with  all  it  contains,  was  the  result." 

He  spoke  with  caution,  lest  he  should  usurp  divine 
power. 

"  In  mankind,  it  is  quite  impossible  to  define  or 
describe  that  subtle  thing  which  is  denoted  by  the 
word  '  spirituality,'  "  he  continued,  "  the  goal  toward 
which  so  many  efforts,  such  fervent  aspirations  are 
directed.  Spirituality  is  something  which  differs 
from  all  these,  an  essence  strange  and  deep,  not  ex 
pressible  in  other  terms  than  itself  —  beyond  mind, 
beyond  thought,  and,  consequently,  beyond  speech. 
In  the  ardor  of  our  present  pursuit,  we  forget  the 
fact  that  the  spiritual  can  be  used  for  evil  no  less 
than  for  good  purposes.  By  failure  to  discriminate 
between  the  spiritual  in  the  service  of  the  divine  and 
the  same  quality  in  the  service  of  the  dark  powers,  we 
may  find  ourselves  at  a  point  where,  to  regain  the 
true  path,  we  must  with  pain  and  agony  retrace  our 
steps  and  begin  again." 

"And  the  soul?" 

"  Is  mind  in  all  its  attributes.  The  animal  soul, 
or  vehicle  of  desire,  is  dominated  by  the  phases  and 
aspects  of  the  moon,  Mars  and  Venus.  This  is  the 
psychic  world.  In  the  body  we  have  the  physical 
(or  material)  man  and  the  astral  prototype.  The 
material  man  lives  as  long  as  the  spirit  functions 
through  the  psychic  world  into  the  astral  body, 
which  is  a  part  of  the  physical  man." 

"  In  what  way  dost  thou  mean  to  say  creative 
energy  contacts  the  body?  " 

"  The  astral  body  is  the  medium;  the  psychic,   the 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  189 

positive;  and  the  material,  the  negative  polarity 
which  attracts  the  magnetic  current,  or  spirit.  When 
the  astral  and  physical  bodies  separate,  death,  or  the 
loosing  of  the  bands  of  Orion,  in  a  physical  sense, 
takes  place. 

"  The  life  essence  in  the  body,"  the  hierophant 
went  on  to  explain,  "  is  a  lateral  pulsation,  which 
grows  shorter  and  shorter  as  the  impetus  giving  it 
motion  in  the  beginning,  is  stilled.  Its  center  is  the 
solar  plexus ;  but  the  divine  spark  is  released  through 
the  cardiac  plexus,  the  spiritual  prototype  of  the 
solar." 

"  What  then  becomes  of  the  deathless  spirit?  " 

"  It  returns  to  its  native  habitat  in  space,  to  as 
similate  the  experiences  through  which  it  has  just 
passed.  This  act  has  its  fitting  counterpart  on  the 
material  plane.  As  the  stomach  digests  the  food  it 
receives,  and  as  the  mind  assimilates  the  ideas  it 
conceives,  so  the  divine  self  utilizes  the  experiences 
it  gains.  As  the  result  of  the  physical  function  is 
bodily  health,  and  that  of  the  mental  process  is  knowl 
edge,  so,  also,  the  fruit  of  the  spiritual  operation  is 
wisdom.  To  acquire  wisdom,  then,  is  manifestly  the 
prime  purpose  of  human  existence." 

"  Through  what  labyrinths  we  have  to  walk  in 
order  to  find  the  Gates  of  Light!"  said  Yermah, 
deeply  interested.  "Existence  is  like  chaos  at  first; 
and  I  begin  to  see  that  this  is  true  on  the  three 
planes." 

"  Certainly.  Man  has  gone  too  far  out  in  the  life 
of  the  senses.  It  is  only  in  his  sleep  that  he  per 
ceives  the  manifestations  of  spirit.  The  true  student 
must  reestablish  the  equilibrium  of  spirit  and  mat 
ter.  Thereby  he  will  obtain  the  ability  to  discern 


190  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

which  are  physical  phenomena.  He  will  perceive  in 
the  waking  state  such  forms  and  apparitions  as  he 
saw  before  in  dreams,  and  rise  to  the  viewpoint 
where  he  realizes  that  physical  forms  are  only  the 
coarse  and  imperfect  copies  of  those  higher  spiritual 
pictures  presenting  themselves  to  his  interior  senses." 

"  Then  our  dreams  are  not  without  significance?  " 

"  Their  significance  lies  in  the  fact  that  they  are 
the  lowest  state  of  spiritual  life.  In  them  a  man  is 
obliged  to  tolerate  in  himself  the  action  of  good  and 
bad  spiritual  forces." 

Akaza  arose,  and  picking  up  a  small  copper  nut- 
oil  lamp  from  a  shelf-like  projection  of  stalactite 
near  at  hand,  he  lighted  it  and  led  the  way  to  a  dim, 
shadowy  cranny  of  the  room. 

Pausing  before  what  appeared  to  be  a  pile  of  rush 
matting  he  handed  the  lamp  to  Yermah  and  began 
removing  the  outer  layers.  As  soon  as  the  rough- 
textured  exterior  was  taken  off,  Yermah  saw  by  the 
cloth  wrappings  that  it  was  a  figure  of  some  kind. 
It  proved  to  be  a  colossal  head  of  diorite,  a  very 
hard  variety  of  serpentine,  or  greenstone. 

"  This,"  said  Akaza,  "  is  the  head  of  Atlantis. 
It  was  contained  in  the  ark  which  we  have  carried 
with  us  so  long  in  our  journeyings." 

"  But  the  eyes  are  closed,  the  nostrils  plugged,  the 
mouth  covered  with  a  gag,  and  the  ears  padlocked. 
This  is  death !  "  cried  Yermah,  unable  to  control  his 
emotion,  shocked  and  awed  by  the  spectacle.  "  She 
can  neither  tell  her  piteous  story  nor  hear  the  suppli 
cations  addressed  to  her." 

He  examined  the  head  closely,  and  saw  that  the 
countenance  before  him  was  that  of  a  dead  person. 
There  was  the  relaxation  of  the  upper  eyelids  which 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  191 

most  forcefully  expressed  this  idea.  The  head  was 
covered  with  a  skull-cap  of  shells  and  lines  represent 
ing  water.  On  the  crown  of  the  head  was  a  rosette- 
like  cap,  with  a  button  in  the  center. 

There  were  four  rows  of  these  scallops.  The 
skull-cap  terminated  at  the  sides  in  ear  padlocks,  fin 
ished  with  triangular  appendages  like  that  over  the 
mouth.  In  each  ear  there  was  a  massive  bar  of 
rounded  metal  inclosed  within  a  broad,  strong  clasp.1 

"  Look  closely  at  the  three  plates  on  the  cheeks. 
They  are  precisely  alike  in  form  and  lie  over  one  an 
other  in  the  same  way;  so  it  is  only  necessary  to  ex 
amine  one  side." 

"  On  the  first  disk,"  said  Yermah,  "  is  a  cross,  with 
four  dots  within  the  arms.  The  second  one  is 
blank,  and  the  third  has  a  peculiar  vertical  slit, 
which  looks  as  if  it  had  some  connection  with  the  ar 
rowhead  appendage  —  as  if  being  slipped  on  to  one 
of  these,  it  could  turn,  and  thus  open  the  padlock." 

Yermah  tried  to  do  what  he  said,  but  the  cold, 
immovable  stone  soon  disabused  his  mind. 

"  Our  prophet,  now  at  Memphis,  has  the  key  to 
this  mystery.  But  I  know  its  interpretation.  Come 
and  be  comforted  by  warmth  and  light,  and  I  shall 
tell  thee,"  said  Akaza,  noting  the  shiver  that  invol 
untarily  followed  Yermah's  ineffectual  effort,  and 
who  was  still  much  shaken  when  he  resumed  his  seat 
beside  the  table  containing  the  zodiac  and  horoscope. 

"  The  earth's  photosphere  is  really  the  seven  cos 
mic  serpents  which  enfold  the  planet  in  seven  bands 
of  race  conditions.  They  have  seven  eyes,  or  win- 

1  This  head  is  in  the  Museum  in  the  City  of  Mexico.  It  was 
found  in  1830  in  the  streets  of  Santa  Teresa  by  some  workmen 
while  excavating  for  the  foundation  of  a  new  house. 


192  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

dows,  of  occult  perception.  One  of  these  windows 
closes  every  time  there  is  a  new  race  developed. 
Thou  knowest  that  death  in  any  form  is  but  a  new 
birth.  Therefore,  when  a  new  race  is  born  its  prede 
cessor  dies,  and  the  section  of  our  globe  inhabited  by 
the  dying  race  is  purified  by  water  and  fire." 

This  is  what  prompts  the  Aryan  race  to  arise  peri 
odically  and  go  from  one  part  of  the  earth  to  the 
other.  This  impulse  cast  them  out  of  Central  Asia 
and  Africa,  where  the  great  deserts  of  Sahara  and 
Gobi  now  stretch  their  waste  sands,  where  Assyrian 
plains  are  given  over  to  desolation,  and  also  left  the 
Colorado,  Arizona,  and  Alta  California  lying  bleak 
and  barren  in  company  with  the  continent  of  Austra 
lia.  This  is  the  purification  by  fire,  while  tidal  waves 
and  the  ice  ages  purify  by  water. 

"  The  earth  is  a  virgin,"  continued  Akaza,  "  and 
will  not  submit  to  the  defilement  of  man.  The  first 
eye  was  in  the  south ;  the  second  was  Lemuria,  in  the 
west;  the  third  is  Hyperboria,  in  the  north,  which  is 
still  open.  This  will  close  when  the  white  magicians 
come  out  of  Atlantis.  Then  its  purification  by  water 
commences.  The  fourth  window  Atlantis  herself 
will  close,  when  the  fifth  race  is  born.  The  races  will 
always  reproduce  themselves  in  a  triad  of  ten  each, 
divided  into  root,  sub,  and  family  branches.  This 
unfolding  will  cause  much  sorrow  and  misery  in  the 
future.  There  will  be  for  ages  strong  hatred  be 
tween  the  black,  red,  yellow  and  white  men.  They 
will  wage  war  upon  each  other  unceasingly." 

"  Since  this  is  race  destiny  and  cannot  be  avoided, 
of  what  use  is  the  sacrifice  and  effort  of  the  Brother 
hood?  It  does  not  seem  to  make  humanity  either 
wiser  or  better." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  193 

"  Many  an  inquiring  mind  has  thought  the  same, 
and  many  a  time  in  future  must  this  question  be  an 
swered.  Know,  then,  that  individual  man  is  the 
microcosm.  He  has  within  himself  all  the  possibil 
ities  accorded  to  his  race,  and  his  own  life  must  move 
in  the  same  cycle.  Initiation  teaches  him  how  to 
harmonize  himself  with  these  laws.  The  ten  planets 
of  the  solar  system  correspond  to  the  labors  decreed 
for  finding  the  Way.  Astrology  is  simply  the  meta 
physical  aspect  of  astronomy.  Before  man  becomes 
an  adept,  he  must  undergo  the  ten  trials.  When  he 
has  done  this  through  three  successive  incarnations, 
he  is  allowed  to  personate  the  attributes  of  divinity, 
and  becomes  a  real  savior  of  the  world." 

"  Is  he  permitted  to  check  the  course  of  race  con 
dition  itself?  " 

"  He  does  not  check  it.  He  crystallizes  the  idea 
dominating  the  race,  and  transmutes  it  to  higher 
planes.  Under  such  conditions,  what  appears  to  be 
defeat  is  really  victory.  But  thou  art  to  remember 
that  these  heroes  descend  to  the  earth  according  to 
orderly  periods  of  time.  Frequently  through  one 
man  countless  multitudes  are  affected.  Think,  then, 
how  important  it  is  that  a  chosen  one  shall  lead  to 
the  higher  walks.  Remember  also  the  duality  of 
everything." 

Tradition  preserves  the  widespread  results  of  this 
teaching.  It  is  found  first  in  the  ten  phases  of  the 
self-development  of  Ra,  in  the  ten  avatars  of  Vishnu, 
in  the  ten  labors  of  Hercules,  the  ten  Sephiroth,  the 
ten  Norse  worlds,  in  the  ten  laws  on  the  tablets  of 
stone,  wherever  given,  in  the  knighthoods  of  the  Holy 
Grail  and  Golden  Fleece.  It  was  lost  sight  of  when 
the  age  of  chivalry  passed.  In  geometry,  it  was  en- 


194  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

circling  the  square;  in  chemistry,  it  was  the  making 
of  alchemical  gold. 

"  The  wise  man  rules  his  stars,  the  fool  obeys 
them,"  resumed  Akaza,  as  he  lifted  the  horoscope, 
and  displayed  the  Grand  Man  of  the  Cosmos,  figured 
in  the  center  of  the  table  by  incised  black  lines  on  the 
ivory  surface.  The  numbers  and  signs  of  the  ten 
planets  were  marked  on  the  left  side.  The  numbers 
ran  from  top  to  bottom  in  succession,  while  the  signs 
began  at  the  bottom  and  ran  upward. 

A  wide,  round  crown,  like  the  rings  of  Saturn, 
surrounded  the  head.  It  emitted  seven  triangular 
rays,  in  the  center  of  which  was  number  one  and  the 
signet  of  the  Brotherhood. 

'  We  are  all  here,"  said  Yermah,  smiling,  but 
showing  surprise  in  finding  that  the  numbers  and 
signs  of  the  planets  were  marked  in  different  parts  of 
the  body,  accompanied  by  his  own  and  his  comrades' 
names.  It  was  a  full-faced  figure,  and  in  the  center 
of  the  forehead  where  the  flowing  hair  parted,  was 
Akaza's  name,  a  figure  two,  and  the  sign  of  Uranus. 

''  This  is  a  Karmic  chart,"  said  Akaza.  "  I  aim 
by  it  to  supply  discriminative  knowledge." 

"  Over  the  heart  thou  hast  the  sign  of  Saturn,  and 
the  figure  three  with  Keroecia's  name.  What  does 
this  signify?  " 

"  Keroecia  typifies  the  occult  mysteries.  Her  mis 
sion  is  to  guide  the  world  to  love  through  chastening 
sorrows." 

"  I  am  the  crosier  in  the  right  hand,"  exclaimed 
the  Dorado,  finding  his  name,  the  sign  of  Jupiter, 
and  a  figure  four  in  the  right  hand  of  the  drawing. 

"  Thou  art  Valor,  and  thy  duty  is  to  subdue  the 
earth." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  195 

"  Orondo  is  the  sword  in  the  left  hand.  He  has 
the  sign  of  Mars  and  a  figure  five  beneath  his 
name." 

"  Yes.  Orondo  is  destructive  force.  His  fate 
decrees  that  he  shall  disappear  like  illusory  imagina 
tion." 

"  Over  the  stomach  is  Ildiko's  name,  the  moon, 
and  a  figure  six.  Does  that  mean  that  she  has  de 
signs  on  Mars?  "  asked  Yermah,  jokingly. 

"  Whatever  glamour  she  casts  will  be  in  vain.  It 
will  avail  her  nothing,"  responded  Akaza,  smiling, 
also.  "  Setos,  thou  seest,  is  the  right  knee.  His 
number  is  seven,  and  his  planet  the  earth  itself.  De 
sire  for  pomp  and  glory  is  his  weakness."  Both  men 
laughed  heartily. 

"Poor  Setos,"  said  Yermah;  "his  vanity  is  pro 
digious." 

"  Alcamayn  is  the  left  knee,  marked  number  eight, 
and  the  planet  Venus.  Saturn  will  exterminate  him, 
as  the  desire  for  sensuous  beauty  is  destroyed  by  ini 
tiation.  Over  the  generative  organs  is  the  sign 
Mercury  and  a  figure  nine,  with  Rahula's  name,  as 
thou  seest.  She  is  my  antipode,"  said  Akaza.  "  She 
is  knowledge  inverted,  and  what  she  bequeaths  to 
men  will  prove  fatal  to  them." 

"  Atlantis  is  under  the  feet,  marked  number  ten, 
with  our  beloved  trident,  and  the  cross  and  circle  of 
love,"  exclaimed  the  younger  man  with  enthusiasm. 

As  Akaza  replaced  the  horoscope,  he  said: 

''  We  have  been  studying  three  triads,  represented 
by  our  fellows.  The  upper  one  is  thyself,  Keroecia 
and  myself;  the  second,  is  Orondo,  Ildiko  and  Setos; 
while  the  third  is  Rahula,  Alcamayn  and  Atlantis. 
Dost  thou  understand  the  meaning  of  Azoth?  " 


196  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  I  fear  to  affirm  knowledge  of  this,  lest  it  have  a 
hidden  significance  which  is  unknown  to  me." 

"  Azoth  is  the  space  between  the  luminaries  and 
the  earth.  Heat  and  light  vibrate  from  the  sun,  but 
it  must  function  through  the  photosphere  of  the  earth 
before  it  is  visible  to  us.  Dost  thou  know  that  be 
tween  the  earth's  photosphere  and  the  sun  it  is 
dark?" 

"  It  appears  to  our  eyesight  as  dark,"  was  the 
cautious  answer.  Akaza  smiled. 

"  Well  then,  know  that  this  nonluminous  medium 
(astral  light)  preserves  the  imprint  of  things  visible, 
and  the  aspect  of  the  daily  heavens  is  reflected  there. 
It  is  in  this  substance  that  the  mother's  fancy  or  crav 
ings  are  transmitted  and  impressed  upon  the  unborn 
child. 

"  The  various  atmospheric  influences  are  conveyed 
through  the  same  medium.  By  the  fact  of  birth  a 
child  enters  into  universal  harmony  of  the  sidereal 
system.  A  network  of  light  extends  from  sphere  to 
sphere  and  there  is  no  point  on  any  planet  or  star  to 
which  one  of  these  indestructible  threads  is  not  at 
tached.1 

"  Men  bear  the  seal  of  their  planets  on  their  fore 
heads,  and  especially  on  their  hands;  animals,  in  their 
entire  shape  and  characteristics;  plants,  in  their  leaves 
and  in  their  seeds;  minerals,  in  their  veins  and  pe 
culiarities  of  fractures. 

"  Infancy  is  dedicated  to  the  sun ;  childhood,  to  the 
moon;  the  age  of  puberty,  to  Mercury;  youth,  to 

1  The  giant  Gulliver  bound  in  a  net- work  of  threads  by  the 
Lilliputians  is  a  familiar  mythical  form  of  the  same  belief  — 
Gulliver  representing  the  whole  human  family  with  its  net-work 
of  desires  and  illusions. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  197 

Mars  and  Venus;  mature  years,  to  Jupiter;  and  old 
age,  to  Saturn." 

The  head  of  man  is  shaped  on  the  model  of  the 
starry  spheres.  It  attracts  and  repels.  It  is  this 
which  is  first  formed,  and  appears  in  the  gestation  of 
the  infant.  The  head  is  affected  in  an  absolute  man 
ner  by  astral  influences,  and  its  diverse  protuberances 
bear  witness  to  the  variety  of  these  attractions. 

"  '  All  the  misery  of  the  world  is  written  in  the 
northern  sky,'  "  quoted  Yermah,  from  a  familiar 
saying.  "  But  how  fascinating  is  Nature's  book, 
with  its  golden  letters !  It  was  a  poetic  mind  truly 
which  gave  us  the  science  of  astrology  by  tracing  the 
lines  from  one  star  to  another  with  his  mind's  eye." 

"  Shooting-stars  are  like  the  soul  of  desire  and  the 
Divine-self  separated  from  our  bodies.  They  al 
ways  seek  the  center  to  recover  equilibrium  and  mo 
tion.  The  soul,  corresponding  to  the  folds  of  Azoth 
(astral  light)  which  surrounds  and  imprisons  these 
meteors,  must  be  disentangled,  in  order  that  the  spirit 
may  escape  from  the  impurities  still  clinging  to  it. 
This  is  the  magnum  opus,  or  completed  labor." 

Yermah  moved  a  little  nearer,  to  enable  him  to 
follow  the  direction  of  the  caduceus  in  Akaza's  hand. 
He  saw  that  the  horoscope  was  for  Atlantis  in  the 
near  future. 

"  At  the  last  vernal  equinox  the  Lord  of  Day  was 
about  to  leave  the  abode  of  the  Lion.  He  now 
stands  between  this  house  and  that  of  the  Virgin  in 
the  celestial  zodiac.  In  such  aspect,  he  is  approach 
ing  the  fiery  house  of  the  Scorpion.  When  he  has 
gone  twenty-five  times  in  the  first  lunation  of  cold 


198  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

and  is  still  within  two  markings  of  the  meridian, 
Poseidon's  reign  will  terminate." 

"  Dost  thou  mean  that  I  am  then  to  become  an 
actual  ruler?  "  was  the  first  question  which  came  in 
voluntarily  to  Yermah's  lips. 

"  Yes.  The  new  moon  at  that  time  opens  the  way 
for  the  dispensation  so  long  foretold  by  our  prophets. 
We  are  about  to  see  the  literal  interpretation  of  this 
revelation :  '  I  will  cause  the  sun  to  go  down  at  noon, 
and  I  will  darken  the  earth  in  the  clear  day.  The 
moon  shall  change  its  laws,  and  not  be  seen  at  its 
proper  period.  Many  chiefs  among  the  stars  of  au 
thority  shall  err,  perverting  their  ways  and  works.' 

"  The  comet,  now  faint  above  the  horizon,  comes 
forward  with  terrific  force,  and  will  cast  its  blight  on 
Venus  and  Mars.  Soon  this  portent  will  be  discerned 
in  the  heavens  and  then  the  people  must  prepare  for 
change. 

"  At  the  time  of  the  full  moon,  Saturn  rises  in  the 
first  house,  in  conjunction  with  the  visitor — presaging 
a  national  calamity.  The  path  of  the  vagrant  is  such 
as  to  form  conjunction  with  Venus,  and,  finally,  to 
reach  the  vicinity  of  Mars  —  the  fiery  planet  which 
rules  Poseidon's  land. 

"  This  configuration  shows  that  the  rulers  have 
prostituted  their  authority,  instead  of  leading  men 
righteously  by  precept  and  example. 

'  The  minds  of  all  the  people  have  become  in 
tensely  evil,  and  they  have  been  given  to  all  forms 
of  wickedness. 

"  The  cohesive  strength  of  Mars  which  binds  the 
land,  is  broken  and  dispersed. 

"  At  the  new  moon,  seismic  disturbances  will  be  of 
continual  occurrence;  and  as  Mars  is  in  the  watery 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  199 

sign,  so  there  is  war  in  the  earth's  interior  between 
uncontrolled  water  and  fire." 

"  So,"  said  Yermah,  "  the  elementals  of  earth,  air, 
fire  and  water,  that  have  been  in  sore  bondage  under 
black  masters,  are  to  gather  and  blend  their  forces  to 
overthrow  their  former  oppressors.  So  be  it  I  Long 
hast  thou  waited  for  this." 

"  At  the  full  moon,  when  she  meets  the  opposition 
of  the  sun,  these  forces  culminate.  Then  the  crest 
of  angry  waters,  which  the  elements  have  lashed  into 
fury,  sweeps  grandly  and  majestically  onward.  The 
new  moon  is  formed  while  the  luminaries  are  in  op 
position  to  Jupiter  and  Neptune.  This  is  but  an 
other  indication  of  trouble  in  the  country,  because 
Jupiter  and  Neptune  are  in  the  fourth  house." 

Akaza  indicated  the  places  on  the  horoscope. 

"  Already  this  influence  is  beginning  to  be  felt  by 
Poseidon.  He  is  encouraging  our  people  to  perform 
imposing  magical  incantations  publicly.  The  first 
and  second  warnings  were  given  when  Ruta  and 
Daitya  sank  beneath  the  ocean  ages  ago,  one  after 
another,  with  a  long  dispensation  between.  He 
should  have  known  better  than  to  trust  the  tempo 
rary  defeat  of  our  Brotherhood.  It  was  an  unfor 
tunate  day  for  Poseidon  and  Atlantis  when  the  last 
remnant,  led  by  the  prophet,  left  there." 

"  The  mid-heavens  show  Uranus  and  Mercury  in 
conjunction  —  or  they  will  be  so  at  the  time  midway 
between  the  new  and  the  full  moon,"  said  Yermah, 
as  he  hastily  calculated  the  positions  in  the  tenth 
house. 

"  This  is  a  further  token  of  the  strained  mental 
attitude  of  the  rulers,  who  will  make  a  frantic  effort 
to  retain  their  power.  The  exact  conjunction  marks 


200  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  complete  overthrow  of  the  magicians,  and  frees 
the  elemental  slaves.  The  activity  displayed  by  the 
physical  world  draws  each  one  back  to  its  own  par 
ticular  element,  and  a  righteous  judgment  ensues." 

Akaza  clasped  his  hands  in  front  of  him  on  the 
table,  as  Yermah  shifted  his  position,  and  said: 

"  Thou  art  in  truth  fortunate,  because  the  last  dec 
ade  has  developed  extreme  luxury  and  selfishness  in 
Atlantis." 

"  The  conjunction  of  Venus  and  Mars,  afflicted  by 
the  comet,  would  indicate  that,"  responded  Yermah, 
referring  to  the  map. 

"  Mercury  in  sextile  aspect  to  Venus,  in  the  ninth 
house,  implies  a  mental  religion  colored  by  the  na 
ture  of  Venus.  The  aspect  of  Mars  adds  to  this  a 
warlike  element,  and  that  which  appeals  to  the  pas 
sions." 

He  paused  for  a  moment  in  intense  thought,  then 
continued : 

"  As  the  conjunction  of  Mercury  with  Uranus  is 
made,  all  religion  is  lost.  The  moon  signifies  the 
people  —  the  sun,  their  rulers.  Thou  seest  that 
both  are  opposed  to  justice  and  right  (Jupiter)  and 
true  wisdom  (Neptune).  The  power  to  remedy 
this  situation  is  refused,  and  retribution  advances  un 
opposed." 

Seeing  that  Akaza  had  finished,  Yermah  ventured 
to  ask: 

"  Does  my  future  stand  revealed  in  this  calcula 
tion?" 

"  Jupiter  speaks  for  thee  in  the  fourth  house. 
Thy  physical  body  is  linked  with  the  land  of  thy 
birth,  and  thy  return  thereto  denoted." 

"  Thou  hast  my  gratitude,  Akaza.     Grant  that  I 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  201 

may  cross  over  the  dark  way;  that  I  may  enter  and 
go  out  of  the  Hall  of  Truth  with  thee  for  a  guide." 

"  The  Ineffable  One,  Maker  of  all  things,  be  thy 
protection,"  responded  Akaza,  as  both  men  arose. 

**  Thou  wilt  smoke  and  so  will  I,  while  I  make 
ready  for  our  repose,"  said  Yermah,  moving  about. 
"  I  have  husks  and  tobacco  in  my  discarded  mantle," 
he  continued,  trying  to  find  its  pockets. 

"  I  can  please  my  fancy  better,"  said  Akaza,  go 
ing  back  to  a  plain  cupboard,  and  producing  from  its 
shelves  two  bronze  water-pipes,  identical  with  those 
used  by  the  Chinese  to-day.  He  found  also,  a 
chamois  pouch  of  fine-cut  tobacco.  Filling  the  bowl 
with  water,  he  put  a  tiny  pinch  of  tobacco  in  the  top 
of  the  tube,  and  lighted  it  by  the  lamp  sitting  near. 
He  puffed  three  times,  emptied  the  pipe,  and  re 
peated  the  process. 

Yermah  denied  himself  until  he  had  spread  out 
the  rugs,  and  had  placed  the  cushions  so  that  he  and 
Akaza  could  sleep  side  by  side. 

When  he  sat  down  to  smoke,  the  young  man  re 
alized  how  tired  he  was.  The  excitement  of  the 
day,  his  exertion,  and  the  rain,  caused  him  to  yawn 
frequently.  It  was  a  sign  of  healthy  reaction  which 
pleased  the  hierophant. 

Finally,  unable  to  fight  drowsiness  longer,  Yermah 
threw  himself  down,  and  was  soon  in  deep  slumber. 
He  stretched  out  with  the  abandon  and  relaxation  of 
a  contented  mind,  throwing  one  arm  up  above  his 
head,  while  his  hair  spread  over  the  cushions. 

Akaza  watched  beside  him  for  a  long  time.  He 
slept  like  a  child,  and  the  old  man  looked  at  him  with 
as  much  tenderness  as  ever  a  mother  displayed  over 
the  cradle  of  her  first-born. 


202  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Fondness  for  Yermah  was  his  one  weakness. 
Alone  in  the  cave  at  midnight,  he  indulged  it.  With 
out  balance  and  discrimination,  this  might  be  mere 
sentimentality  or  mawkish  sweetness.  In  the  spir 
itual  man,  however,  balance  and  discrimination  must 
of  necessity  be  present. 

Therefore,  in  Akaza  love  was  strong  and  firm,  as 
well  as  tender,  wise  and  far-sighted.  Seeing  clearly 
amid  the  illusions  around  him,  his  love  welcomed 
even  pain  for  its  object,  when  by  suffering  Yermah 
could  gain  treasures,  and  powers  and  gifts  everlast 
ing.  He  would  lift  no  finger  to  frustrate  the  need 
ful  work,  yet  was  rent  by  greater  anguish  than  Yer 
mah  himself. 

Seeing  farther  and  more  clearly,  he  had  strength 
to  await  the  end,  giving  meanwhile  all  the  sympathy 
and  help  of  the  truest  affection. 

Akaza  was  sitting  with  his  eyes  closed  —  really 
dozing  when  he  became  suddenly  aware  of  a  pres 
ence.  He  looked  toward  the  entrance  of  the  cave, 
and  encountered  a  pair  of  yellow  eyes  glaring  at  him 
in  the  semi-darkness. 

He  was  so  startled  that  he  gained  his  feet  in  an 
attitude  of  defense.  The  eyes  gradually  lowered, 
and  in  a  moment  Akaza  heard  a  sniffing  noise.  Be 
fore  he  could  cry  out  the  long,  tawny  body  of  Oghi 
came  into  full  view. 

The  animal  had  its  head  down  and  was  tracking 
its  master.  Akaza  watched  Oghi  approach  the 
sleeping  man  with  unerring  instinct. 

"What  is  it,  Akaza?  Dear  master,  why  hast 
thou  not  slept?  "  Yermah  asked,  sitting  bolt  upright, 
not  more  than  half-awake.  Oghi  beat  the  ground 
with  his  tail,  and  made  a  peculiar  sneezing  sound  to 


203 


attract  attention.      It  was  his  way  of  showing  pleasure. 

"  He  loves  thee,  also,"  said  Akaza,  as  Yermah 
patted  the  animal  on  the  head.  He  was  on  his  feet 
in  a  moment. 

"Oghi!  Here,  sir!"  called  the  Dorado,  recov 
ering  the  chain  which  had  been  dragged  through  the 
mud.  "  How  could  he  get  in  here?  " 

"  We  will  tie  him  to  one  of  the  brass  staples 
leaded  into  the  wall  at  the  entrance,"  returned  Akaza, 
"  and  then  we  can  find  out." 

Oghi  made  no  resistance  as  he  was  led  to  the  spot 
indicated. 

"  He  has  dug  in  under  these  shutters,"  said  Yer 
mah,  as  he  held  the  light  so  that  his  companion  could 
see.  "  How  could  he  have  known  I  was  here?  " 

As  he  spoke  the  ocelot  shook  himself,  and  was 
about  to  lie  lown. 

"  Let  me  fix  him  a  bed,"  said  his  master;  "  he  is  a 
good  fellow.  There  sir  I  " 

Hastily  gathering  up  some  rush  mats,  Yermah 
threw  them  down  in  a  pile.  Oghi  could  not  say 
"  Thank  you,"  but  he  signified  it  the  best  way  that 
he  could.  With  a  final  affectionate  pat  on  the  head, 
Yermah  turned  and  followed  Akaza. 

"  Come  to  bed  with  me,"  he  urged.  "  Conscience 
forbids  my  sleeping  while  thou  art  denied  rest." 

Akaza  yielded  to  persuasion;  and  when  Yermah 
had  deftly  tucked  the  rugs  about  him,  and  placed  the 
cushions,  after  shaking  them  up  thoroughly,  so  that 
Akaza  declared  himself  comfortable,  he  extinguished 
all  lights  but  one,  and  cuddled  up  close  beside  the 
elder  man,  with  his  right  arm  thrown  protectingly 
over  him. 

A  few  moments  afterward,  both  were  fast  asleep. 


CHAPTER  FIFTEEN 

A  TRIUMPH AND  A  WORDLESS   COVENANT 

ON  leaving  Tlamco,  Keroecia  was  carried  up 
the  Sacramento   River  by  the   fleet   of  the 
Azes,   until  nearly  opposite   the  mouth   of 
Antelope  Creek,  where  she  was  met  by  a  company  of 
Monbas  warriors  and  given  escort  to  Anokia,  their 
capital  city,  situated  south  of  Lassen  Peak. 

At  a  distance  of  from  five  to  eight  miles  from  the 
false  base  of  the  Sierras,  is  a  range  of  isolated  hills 
which  form  an  irregular  belt  of  elevation,  separated 
from  the  main  chain  by  an  intervening  plain. 

It  was  here  that  Anokia  was  built,  in  a  rocky  am 
phitheater  at  the  head  of  a  stream  which  flows  back 
directly  northeast  from  its  source  toward  the  axis  of 
the  principal  mountain  chain. 

The  kettle-like  form  at  the  head  of  the  valley 
opened  on  the  north,  and  extended  in  a  huge  semi 
circle  to  the  river  below.  Opposite  the  opening 
stood  Lassen  Peak,  either  as  a  grim  protector,  or  in 
frowning  distrust,  according  to  the  interpretation 
given  to  the  mountain's  inscrutable  mood. 

There  were  several  small  domes  and  pinnacles  on 
the  east  side  of  the  peak,  and,  in  some  places,  the 
granite  rim  formed  a  beautifully  striped  parapet  of 
bedded  rock.  Portions  of  the  stone  were  thin 
enough  for  the  sunlight  to  penetrate  the  crevices,  and 
to  throw  faint  but  effective  shadows  on  the  layers  of 
brilliant  colors. 

204 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  205 

The  more  solid  sections  of  the  wall  afforded  a 
magnificent  view  of  the  surrounding  crest  of  the 
Sierras  which  here  spread  out  like  a  giant  harrow 
overturned  against  the  vast  horizon. 

Evergreen  trees  and  undergrowth  fringed  the 
tooth-shaped  outlines  which  the  blue  haze  softened 
and  blended  perfectly  with  the  lighter  tones  over 
head,  and  blurred  deep  and  heavy  in  the  interesting 
glades  and  canyons. 

The  whole  region  presented  a  complicated  system 
of  sharp  ridges,  with  immense  circular  cavities  be 
tween,  as  if  the  entire  country  had  suddenly  cooled 
while  boiling  violently. 

From  out  this  mass,  rose  bold  rivers  which  trick 
led  along  for  some  distance ;  then,  gaining  in  volume 
and  velocity,  rushed  madly  across  the  intervening 
plains  to  mingle  their  clear  icy  waters  with  the  tur 
bid,  debris-laden  Sacramento. 

Much  of  the  land  surface  was  reddened  and  dis 
colored  by  the  oxidization  contained  in  the  subsoil; 
and  over  it  all  was  the  brown  and  yellow  color- 
scheme  of  the  long,  rainless  summer  months. 

There  were  live  oaks  in  the  foothills,  white  oaks 
in  the  valleys,  with  pale,  yellowish-green  moss  fes 
tooning  the  gnarled  limbs,  and  swaying  in  the  breeze. 

The  long  acorns  had  been  gathered  and  stored  for 
future  use.  Tules  covering  the  swampy  shallows 
this  side  of  the  narrow  timber  belt  on  the  river,  were 
brown  and  seared.  The  wild  grape  vines  were 
loaded  with  ripe  fruit  and  each  patch  of  wild  oats 
had  long  since  shed  its  grain. 

Here  and  there  a  white  swan  glided  by  in  stately 
dignity  on  waters  so  clear  that  the  fish  could  be  seen ; 
while  the  sycamores,  oaks,  and  willows  afforded 


206  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

shelter  to  a  chattering  family  of  magpies,  blue] ays, 
blackbirds,  crows  and  turkey  buzzards.  A  hawk 
poised  itself  in  mid-air  watching  a  chance  to  seize  a 
meadow  lark;  while  the  sandhill-cranes,  ducks,  and 
geese  disported  themselves  in  the  sloughs. 

In  the  less  frequented  parts  of  the  valley,  lumber 
ing  mastodons  and  hippopotami  mingled  with  grizzly 
bears,  elk,  antelope,  deer  and  diminutive  wild  horses. 
They  were  screened  from  view  by  scrub  oak  and  pine 
whose  northern  exposure  was  rich  in  yellow  moss. 
Here  was  found  plenty  of  bur-clover  and  bunch- 
grass,  both  of  which  were  withered  by  the  hot  sum 
mer  wind  and  sun.  Shocks  of  corn  and  piles  of 
fodder,  still  cluttered  the  parched  ground,  bearing 
mute,  but  eloquent  testimony  of  the  recent  invasion 
of  an  army  of  painstaking  reapers. 

California  in  her  brown  coat  is  a  promise  fulfilled 
—  a  matured  and  sobered  land,  somewhat  stern  and 
forbidding  of  aspect,  and  set  in  her  ways,  but  rich 
beyond  compare  in  the  abundance  and  variety  of  her 
harvest  yield. 

Despite  the  shimmering,  blistering  heat,  schools  of 
salmon  had  been  shooting  the  rapids  and  whirlpools 
of  the  Sacramento,  hastening  to  the  shallows.  It  was 
their  spawning  time.  They  fearlessly  deserted  the 
deep  pools  and  were  piled  in  an  indiscriminate  mass 
in  the  ripples. 

Animated  by  a  kind  of  fury  the  fish  were  beating 
the  sands  with  their  tails.  Sometimes,  the  female 
would  wear  her  fins  off  entirely  in  this  occupation. 
Then  she  deposited  her  eggs  in  the  coarse  gravel; 
but  the  greedy  trout  pounced  upon  and  ate  them  as 
fast  as  laid  if  not  prevented  by  the  male  salmon. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  207 

When  Yermah  returned  to  laqua  after  spending 
the  night  in  the  cave  with  Akaza,  he  found  a  mes 
senger  from  Kercecia,  inviting  him  to  attend  her 
birthday  fete. 

In  addition  to  the  autographed  letter  was  an 
elaborately  decorated  flower-pot  filled  with  a  bunch 
of  white,  strawlike  blossoms,  on  slender,  cottony 
stems,  with  little  or  no  foliage.  To-day  the  French 
call  this  modest  flower  the  "  Immortelle  " ;  the  Span 
ish,  in  their  soft  language,  say  "  Siempre  Viva"; 
while  in  English,  it  is  the  u  Everlasting." 

"  Never  ceasing  to  remember,"  murmured  the  Do 
rado,  as  he  examined  the  flowers  and  recognized 
their  significance. 

Yermah  understood  that  Keroecia  had  wished  to 
send  him  a  perfect  plant,  and  had  selected  this,  not 
only  for  its  sentiment,  but  also  because  of  its  ability 
to  stand  the  rough  usage  of  a  journey. 

He  undid  the  tiny  roll  of  parchment  tied  to  one  of 
the  stems. 

It  said:  "  Though  I  have  not  the  loveliness  of  the 
rose,  am  I  not  grass  from  the  garden  where  it 
grows?  " 

He  kissed  the  written  words  and  with  his  own 
hands  carried  the  flower-pot  into  his  private  apart 
ments.  Never  afterward,  as  long  as  he  remained  at 
laqua,  was  he  without  a  sprig  of  this  plant. 

The  first  of  August  was  Keroecia's  birthday,  and 
this  particular  celebration  of  the  event  was  to  be  of 
unusual  brilliancy.  It  was  also  the  great  harvest 
festival  of  the  year  which  always  brought  forth 
elaborate  preparations  by  the  mountaineers. 


208  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  peculiar  kettle-shape  at  the  head  of  the  Val 
ley  where  Anokia  was  built,  formed  three  sides  of  the 
amphitheater  where  the  games  were  to  be  held. 

It  had  a  ragged,  uneven  surface,  like  the  lips  of  a 
crater,  which  the  Monbas  stone-cutters  had  skill 
fully  turned  to  account  in  constructing  a  pavilion  on 
the  south  side,  canopied  and  gay  with  flags,  banners 
and  silk  lanterns.  Rubble  walls,  provided  with  seats 
cut  into  the  stone,  closed  the  north  side.  Here  a  wide 
entrance  was  left. 

Seats  rose  in  a  continuous  circle,  tier  upon  tier, 
until  thousands  could  have  found  accommodation. 
The  goals  for  the  racers,  the  pole  in  the  center,  and 
each  spire  and  battlement  on  the  walls  displayed 
flags.  The  sanded  floor  had  been  wet  and  packed 
down  smooth  and  hard. 

For  an  hour  or  more  the  crowds  had  been  coming 
in,  quietly  and  decorously  as  became  men,  women 
and  children  in  holiday  dress. 

Without  warning,  eight  forerunners  dashed 
through  the  entrance  and  sped  around  the  ring, 
shouting  at  the  top  of  their  voices. 

"  Hoop-ah  1  Hoop-ah !  Hoop-ah !  "  cried  the 
first  pair. 

"  Hye !    Hye !     Hye !    Hye !  "  said  the  second. 

"  Ho-ra !    Ho-ra !  "  called  the  third. 

"  O-h !  O-h !  "  sharply  piped  the  fourth  pair, 
moving  the  forefinger  rapidly  over  the  lips,  and  pro 
longing  the  piercing  sound. 

They  were  naked  save  a  white  linen  band  girding 
the  loins  and  tied  tightly  in  front.  Their  long,  loose 
hair  quivered  with  motion  as  they  sped  around  the 
ring  nerved  to  the  highest  tension  by  the  shouts  of 
the  multitude. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  209 

Suddenly  the  whole  city  seemed  to  wake  into 
noisy,  turbulent  expectancy.  A  heavy  br-r-r  of 
kettledrums,  a  sharp  click  of  castanets,  a  blare  of 
trumpets,  and  the  higher  notes  of  flutes  and 
fifes  announced  the  approach  of  Kercecia  and  her 
guests. 

With  heads  bent,  the  runners  pulled  themselves 
together  for  a  final  effort.  It  was  a  point  of  honor 
to  reach  the  entrance  as  Keroecia  arrived  there.  The 
multitude  understood  this,  and  cheered  lustily  as  the 
men  ranged  themselves  in  even  rows,  four  on  each 
side,  at  the  exact  instant  that  Keroecia  reached  the 
threshold.  She  had  time  to  throw  a  badge  to  each 
one,  before  they  sank  into  the  arms  of  attendants 
breathless  and  completely  exhausted. 

The  "  Hymn  of  Triumph  "  was  caught  up  by  the 
crowd  and  carried  high  above  the  combined  efforts 
of  the  musicians,  as  the  populace  worked  their  fore 
fingers  over  their  lips,  and  followed  the  melody  with 
all  of  the  lung-power  possible. 

Keroecia  was  attended  by  Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  his 
bride,  Alcyesta,  on  one  side,  with  Suravia  and 
Mineola  on  the  other,  followed  by  Yermah,  attended 
by  Setos  and  Alcamayn  on  the  right;  Rahula  and 
Ildiko  on  the  left. 

Arriving  at  the  pavilion,  Keroecia  was  received  by 
the  priesthood  of  Anokia,  who  crowned  her  Queen 
of  the  Harvest,  by  placing  a  wreath  of  heads  of  ripe 
grain  upon  her  brow.  They  gave  her  a  cornstalk, 
also,  which  supported  two  ripe  ears,  the  whole  gayly 
decorated  with  ribbons. 

As  soon  as  Keroecia  received  this  emblem  of  plenty 
she  waved  it  high  over  her  head,  and  the  whole  mul 
titude  uncovered,  tossing  their  round,  pointed,  conical 


210  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

hats  high  into  the  air  and  shouted :  "  Ho-ra !  Ho-ra  1 
Ho-ra!" 

The  day  was  yet  young,  but  the  tamanes  took  ad 
vantage  of  the  confusion  while  seating  the  proces 
sion  in  the  pavilion  to  unfurl  the  canopies  overhead, 
and  the  people  made  themselves  comfortable  under 
thick  tapa-cloth  awnings. 

On  the  ground  directly  in  front  of  the  pavilion, 
were  squares  of  black  and  white  marble.  Upon 
these  the  Monbas  priests  prepared  to  play  the  game 
of  u  Stone- Warrior,"  a  quaint,  allegorical  Pilgrim's 
Progress,  typical  of  the  journey  of  life,  one  mile-post 
of  which  Keroecia  was  passing. 

Bringing  up  the  rear  of  the  procession  were  four 
horsemen  dressed  in  green,  with  green  trappings  on 
their  mounts;  four  tapirs  caparisoned  in  red;  four 
war-chariots  in  yellow;  and  twelve  foot-soldiers  in 
black. 

There  were  two  Priests  of  the  Bow,  dressed  in 
white.  This  company  divided  —  one  half  taking 
one  end  of  the  board,  and  the  other  half,  the  other 
end.  Six  foot-soldiers  stood  on  the  black  squares, 
three  on  each  side  of  the  Priests  of  the  Bow. 

The  two  tapirs,  horsemen  and  chariots,  lined  up 
evenly  on  the  ground  back  of  the  men  in  black.  The 
object  of  the  game  was  to  cross  the  board  diagonally 
from  end  to  end  —  capturing  as  many  men  as  possi 
ble  on  the  way.  The  first  side  to  place  three  foot- 
soldiers  in  a  row  was  the  winner.  In  no  circum 
stance  was  a  man  in  black  to  touch  a  white  square. 
He  must  always  keep  on  the  black  square. 

A  throw  of  dice  determined  the  movements  of  the 
participants.  Five  moved  the  Priest  of  the  Bow, 
and  he  could  go  forward  and  backward  as  he  pleased, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

but  he  was  liable  to  be  caught  around  the  waist  and 
flung  off  the  board  the  same  as  the  men  in  black. 

A  four-spot  moved  the  tapir.  This  meant  that 
one  man  moved  forward  four  blocks,  while  the  tapirs 
headed  for  the  four  cardinal  points,  to  denote  the 
number  of  times  they  had  been  moved. 

Three  spots  moved  the  horsemen;  two,  the  char 
iots;  and  one,  the -men  in  black. 

The  musicians  played  a  lively  air.  Then  the  game 
began. 

Groups  of  priests  stood  on  each  side  shouting  in 
structions,  warnings  and  words  of  encouragement  to 
the  players,  who  were  obliged  to  follow  the  lead  of 
their  Priest  of  the  Bow.  Only  the  first  two  moves 
depended  on  the  dice;  after  that  is  was  every  player 
for  himself,  counting  in  succession,  five,  four,  three, 
two,  one. 

It  was  a  strange  sight  for  the  spectator.  Appar 
ently,  without  any  good  reason,  the  horsemen,  the 
tapirs  and  the  chariots  were  wheeling  north,  south, 
east  and  west,  while  the  black  men  pushed  forward 
rapidly,  seizing  and  flinging  one  another  off  the  board, 
until,  finally,  a  mighty  shout  went  up,  and  three  men 
in  black  stood  in  a  row  facing  Keroecia. 

The  tapirs,  chariots  and  all  but  one  horseman  of 
the  vanquished  side  had  gone  over  to  the  victors, 
while  on  the  board  there  were  but  two  black  men  and 
the  Priest  of  the  Bow  to  oppose  the  winners. 

"  Beaten  by  a  headless  band !  Bah !  Bah !  Bah !  " 
vociferated  the  adherents  of  the  victors. 

"  Score  five  against  them!  "  was  the  imperious  de 
mand  of  the  vanquished.  The  cazique  hammered 
vigorously  on  the  big  copper  gong,  while  the  trump 
eters  blew  three  sharp  blasts  as  a  signal  to  clear  the 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


grounds,  and  as  if  by  magic  every  block  of  marble 
went  with  the  crowd. 

From  the  judges'  stand,  opposite  the  pavilion,  ran 
up  a  banner,  with  figures  in  black  on  a  white  ground. 
It  awarded  the  game  by  two  points,  giving  red  rib 
bons  to  the  three  foot-soldiers  who  had  gained  the 
coveted  goal. 

"  We  are  obliged  to  count  five  against  the  victors, 
since  they  lost  their  Priest  of  the  Bow  after  their 
first  move.  Had  they  protected  him,  they  would 
have  won  all  possible  points." 

Mingled  cries  of  "  Ho-ra  !  Ho-ra  !  "  and  "  Bah  ! 
Bah!  Bah!  "  greeted  this  announcement. 

The  Baggataway  players  next  appeared,  led  by 
Setos,  Alcamayn,  Hanabusa,  and  ten  gamy  Azes, 
followed  by  Ben  Hu  Barabe  with  twelve  athletic- 
looking  Monbas.  This  was  their  national  game,  and 
Ben  Hu  Barabe  felt  a  pardonable  pride  in  his  men  as 
he  led  them  into  position. 

At  each  end  of  the  field  were  the  goals,  indicated 
by  two  poles  twelve  feet  high  and  half  as  far  apart. 
There  was  also  a  center  pole  of  equal  height  mid- 
distant  between  the  end  goals.  All  were  surmounted 
by  flags. 

Each  of  the  players  was  armed  with  a  stick  flat 
tened  at  the  end,  and  the  intention  was  to  drive  the 
rubber  ball  into  goal  between  the  enemy's  posts. 

The  Monbas  defended,  while  the  Azes  attacked. 
A  noisy,  chattering,  bantering,  betting  crowd  surged 
up  and  down  on  each  side  of  the  players,  piling  up 
articles  of  every  description  as  their  respective  sides 
seemed  on  the  point  of  either  winning  or  losing. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  213 

The  attack  and  defense  strained  every  nerve,  keep 
ing  the  twenty-four  players  constantly  on  the  move. 
Here,  a  man  races  with  another;  there,  he  makes  a 
prodigious  throw  up  field;  and,  before  any  one  knows 
what  has  happened  the  battle  has  been  transferred, 
and  the  Azes  stand  fair  to  lose. 

Alcamayn  runs  full  against  his  antagonist,  and 
both  come  to  the  ground  together;  while  Setos  fells 
his  opponent  by  a  sharp  blow  over  the  head.  The 
fallen  player  is  carried  bleeding  and  unconscious 
from  the  field  just  as  the  Monbas  rescue  the  ball,  and 
send  it  with  a  triumphant  shout  through  the  goal 
which  wins  them  the  game. 

"  Foul !  foul !  "  screamed  the  on-lookers.  "  The 
Azes  shall  not  have  a  point.  They  play  unfairly." 

A  shouting,  gesticulating,  seething  mass  of  men  and 
women  surged  around  the  judges'  stand. 

"  Give  us  justice !  "  they  demanded.  The  cazique 
pounded  the  gong  madly.  Finally,  he  could  make 
himself  heard  above  the  din  and  noise. 

"  Hear  thy  priestess!  "  he  called.  "  She  begs  that 
thou  wilt  remember  thy  duty  and  the  occasion.  There 
are  many  reasons  why  we  feel  grateful  to  the  Azes. 
Judgment  is  suspended.  All  bets  are  invalid.  Go 
back  to  thy  seats  and  be  quiet.  The  Monbas  won 
their  game  with  honor.  Be  content  with  that." 

It  was  well  for  Setos  and  Alcamayn  that  Yermah 
was  preparing  for  an  archery  contest  with  Ben  Hu 
Barabe  and  Hanabusa  and  was  therefore  ignorant  of 
the  cause  of  the  offense.  The  officers  of  the  balsas, 
the  warriors,  and  the  other  players  among  the  Azes, 
instinctively  huddled  together,  humiliated  and 
ashamed,  but  silent. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


A  plaited  disk  of  straw  having  a  central  circle  of 
yellow  nine  inches  in  diameter,  surrounded  by  rings 
of  red,  blue,  black  and  white,  was  hung  up  on  the 
center  pole. 

The  Monbas  served  Yermah  and  Hanabusa  with 
arrows,  while  the  Azes  performed  a  similar  office 
for  Ben  Hu  Barabe. 

During  the  years  spent  in  the  Atlantian  colonies, 
the  Dorado  had  been  the  actual  head  of  the  fighting 
men;  but  this  was  the  first  time  he  had  been  called 
upon  to  show  his  skill  in  bow-craft  to  the  Azes. 

The  fame  of  Ben  Hu  Barabe  was  spread  far  and 
wide,  and  the  Monbas  waited  with  smiling  concern  as 
to  the  outcome.  Hanabusa  had  won  his  position 
with  the  bowstring,  but  Yermah's  capabilities  were 
unknown. 

The  stubborn  pride  of  three  races  was  in  the  strug 
gle,  and  bitter  defeat  awaited  some  one.  It  was 
strictly  a  war  function.  There  were  precision,  rigid 
enforcement  of  rules,  and  exactness  in  the  attitude  in 
which  the  warriors  stood  —  motionless  and  impas 
sive,  while  the  three  contestants  marched  in  step  to 
warlike  music  through  the  entrance  and  halted  at  the 
first  vantage-ground. 

The  three  men  bowed  and  smiled  in  recognition  of 
the  plaudits  showered  upon  them  right  and  left,  as 
they  watched  for  the  signal.  A  refreshing  breeze 
fanned  their  faces  and  set  all  the  flags  in  motion. 

Yermah  was  in  full  regimentals  as  commander-in- 
chief.  Scarlet,  purple,  gold,  and  green  were  his  col 
ors;  but  they  were  blended  with  all  the  skill  of  the 
ancients,  so  that  they  fitly  set  his  personality. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  showed  his  insignia  as  Civil  Chief 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  215 

and  defender  of  Anokia,  while  Hanabusa  was  re 
splendent  in  feathers  and  jewels. 

Yermah  felt  that  he  was  the  doubtful  one.  His 
glance  rested  for  a  moment  on  the  anxious  faces  of 
his  followers,  but  he  was  cool,  confident  and  col 
lected.  There  was  something  magnetically  infec 
tious  in  his  encouraging  smile,  and  before  he  had 
touched  a  bow,  he  had  the  undivided  attention  of  the 
assemblage. 

Hanabusa  and  Ben  Hu  Barabe  seemed  dwarfed 
beside  him.  His  easy,  nonchalant  bearing,  his  un 
conscious  grace  were  never  more  conspicuous.  Still, 
Yermah  was  an  alien.  He  stood  in  their  midst  a 
stranger,  and  fully  comprehended  that  the  loyalty  of 
his  own  men  would  be  severely  tried  if  he  failed  to 
acquit  himself  with  credit. 

Over  in  the  pavilion  were  a  pair  of  luminous,  mas 
tic  brown  eyes,  with  glints  of  bronze  in  their  depths, 
which  were  bent  upon  him  eagerly.  He  could  feel 
them  drawing  him  in  that  direction,  but  he  did  not 
trust  himself  to  return  their  questioning  gaze. 

There  were  neither  knots,  gnarls,  nor  cracks  in  the 
waxy  brown  six-foot  hunting  bow  of  continuous 
straight-grained  mulberry  used  in  the  first  trial.  Its 
tips  were  of  polished  elk-horn,  and  there  was  a  green 
chamois  handhold  in  the  center  of  the  elaborate  carv 
ing.  The  well-seasoned  hickory  arrows,  forty  inches 
long  and  as  smooth  as  glass,  carried  flint-heads  three 
and  a  half  inches  wide,  and  two  inches  broad,  with 
sharp  saw-teeth  edges.  There  was  a  trinity  of  pea 
cock  feather  vanes  outlined  in  parabola  above  the 
notch  end. 

Courtesy    gave    Yermah    the    first    shot.     As    he 


216  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

pulled  a  stout  buckskin  shield  over  his  right  hand, 
he  looked  full  into  Keroecia's  face.  His  eyes  said: 
"  Trust  me.  I  shall  not  fail." 

Under  the  inspiration  of  her  answering  nod,  he 
quickly  raised  the  bow  from  the  ground  and  placed 
it  against  his  knee-cap,  thereby  securing  a  good  pur 
chase.  With  an  upward  body  movement,  he  drew 
the  long  bow  to  its  fullest  capacity,  faced  the  target 
and  let  fly. 

Like  the  arrow  of  Acestes,  which  caught  fire  as  it 
flew,  or  the  dart  of  Abaris,  which  is  the  wisdom  of 
concentrated  thought,  this  winged  thing  sang  through 
the  air,  and  imbedded  itself  in  the  blue  ring  above 
the  center,  where  it  rocked  violently  from  the  shock 
of  impact. 

"  Yermah  of  Tlamco,  scores  five  at  elevation  of 
forty-five  degrees;  drawing  force,  one  hundred  and 
thirty  pounds." 

The  tally-keeper  in  the  judges'  stand  droned  the 
words  after  the  official  scorer.  Then  the  people 
seemed  to  catch  their  breath. 

"  What  skill !  "  said  one,  pointing  to  the  still  quiv 
ering  arrow.  "  What  strength  I  "  cried  another, 
while  the  men  of  Tlamco,  but  lately  humbled,  lifted 
their  heads  proudly  and  looked  with  admiration  at 
their  leader. 

The  exertion  flushed  Yermah's  face,  but  there  was 
that  in  his  expression  which  seemed  to  augur  better 
things.  He  had  yet  to  prove  himself;  so  he  re 
newed  his  efforts  with  energy  and  determination. 

The  second  shot  sent  the  arrow  into  the  red  ring 
below  goal,  and  nearly  opposite  the  blue,  scoring 
seven  points. 

"  Here  is  fine  aiming !  "  said  the  judges  to  one  an- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  217 

other,  while  the  spectators  leaned  forward  in  strained 
positions  and  watched  intently. 

There  was  just  the  shadow  of  a  smile  around  Yer- 
mah's  mouth,  as  he  bent  for  the  final  shot. 

"  Ping !  "  murmured  the  third  arrow  as  it  hit  ex 
act  center. 

"  Haille !  Haille !  "  shouted  the  Azes.  "  Haille  I 
Haille !  "  responded  the  Monbas,  catching  the  enthu 
siasm,  and  complimenting  their  visitors  by  adopting 
their  cry. 

The  whole  crowd  were  on  their  feet,  all  talking  at 
once,  not  paying  the  slightest  attention  to  the  tellers 
and  scorers,  who  rushed  about  bawling  the  result. 

"  Five  —  seven  —  nine  are  the  points;  twenty-one 
for  final  score,"  they  said. 

Yermah  flung  down  his  bow  and  stepped  aside  to 
make  room  for  his  competitors.  He  stood  helmet  in 
hand,  wiping  his  brow,  pleased  with  the  warming 
sentiment  manifested  toward  him. 

"  Hanabusa,  the  Azes,  scores  three,  five  and  seven. 
Fifteen  for  final  count." 

"  Ben  Hu  Barabe  can  do  better,"  was  said  on  all 
sides,  as  Hanabusa  made  way  for  him. 

"  Now  the  Azes  will  learn  how  to  shoot!  " 

"  He  will  never  equal  the  first  score,"  said  other 
archers.  "  The  Atlantian  is  a  fine  bowman." 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  bent  to  his  task.  He  sent  his 
first  arrow  with  a  vim  and  energy  which  bespoke  long 
familiarity  and  constant  practice.  He,  too,  made  a 
center  shot,  but  it  was  the  upper  edge  of  the  gold 
disk  which  received  the  barb ;  next  time,  the  red  ring 
suffered;  but  the  final  shot  sped  feebly,  and  barely 
indented  the  black  ring. 

"  The  first  fort  yields  to  the  Azes,"  announced 


218  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  judges.  "  Move  on  to  the  next  coign  of 
vantage." 

Now  came  the  real  test  of  skill.  Here  every  man 
was  interested,  because  they  all  made  use  of  the  bow 
and  arrow  themselves.  The  first  trial  was  of 
strength,  but  this  would  require  finesse  and  nicety  of 
calculation.  Hundreds  of  the  spectators  left  their 
seats  and  crowded  around  the  contestants. 

Extremely  light,  highly  elastic  but  tough  yew 
from  the  forests  of  Oregon  was  substituted  for  the 
heavier  bow  of  the  chase;  and  the  arrows  had  finely 
pointed  obsidian  heads,  notched  and  smooth,  but 
sharp  as  a  needle. 

Yermah  looked  well  to  the  sweetness  of  his  clear, 
clean,  lemon-colored  bow.  When  satisfied  that  it 
had  the  requisite  softness  of  flexure  and  recoil,  and 
that  the  arrows  were  properly  seasoned,  he  placed 
one  on  the  left  side  of  the  bow,  above,  and  resting 
on  the  forefinger  knuckle  of  the  clenched  left  hand, 
with  its  notch  set  on  the  string. 

The  first  three  fingers  of  the  right  hand  hooked 
around  the  string,  keeping  the  arrow-notch  between 
the  first  and  second.  Extending  the  left  arm  vigor 
ously  but  steadily,  Yermah  drew  the  string  back  with 
his  right  hand  to  just  below  the  chin  —  and  loosed. 

He  stood  with  his  left  shoulder  toward  the  target, 
looking  straight  in  that  direction,  having  the  heels 
well  apart,  and  toes  turned  out,  leaving  his  legs 
straight,  but  not  stiff.  Raising  his  bow  gracefully 
with  the  left  hand,  he  drew  the  arrow  four-fifths  of 
its  length,  aimed  over  the  arrow-tip,  drew  again,  and 
let  fly! 

The  spectators  were  quick  to  see  that  he  made  the 
four  points  perfectly.  Each  element  of  the  draw, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  219 

aim,  finish,  and  loose  required  the  greatest  nicety 
of  execution;  yet,  he  sped  the  arrows  with  almost  in 
credible  swiftness. 

When  shooting  three  at  once,  Yermah  used  the 
three  sights  —  center,  above  and  below  aim-points. 
His  control  of  the  loose  was  so  accurate,  he  under 
stood  the  variation  of  vision  between  the  right 
and  left  eye  so  well,  that  he  drove  all  three  arrows 
into  the  gold  within  a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  each 
other ! 

By  the  rules,  he  must  aim  above  center  at  one 
hundred  yards,  and  there  was  not  one  of  the  seventy- 
two  arrows,  whether  sped  singly  or  in  threes,  that 
hit  below  the  mark.  At  eighty  yards  he  was 
obliged  to  aim  blankly  with  the  four  dozen  arrows 
loosed  at  this  distance.  He  chose  the  outer  circle 
of  white,  and  planted  his  darts  at  equidistance 
around  the  entire  circle. 

"  But  one  more  fort  remains  to  be  captured,  and 
the  Atlantian  still  leads,"  announced  the  judges. 
"  Clear  the  enclosure !  Warriors,  do  your  duty !  " 

With  this,  the  men  made  a  rush  for  their  seats, 
not  waiting  for  the  spear-points  the  warriors  were 
preparing  to  level  at  them. 

In  the  noise,  confusion  and  excitement  no  one 
paid  attention  to  the  birds,  perched  on  top  of  the 
pole  supporting  the  target.  There  was  a  blue-jay, 
a  raven,  a  white  dove,  and  a  green  parrot,  with 
strong  cords  attached  to  one  leg  of  each,  sitting  on 
a  crossbar  or  else  on  the  gilt  ball  at  the  apex.  Now 
every  one  suddenly  remembered,  and  interest  re 
doubled  in  the  final  score  at  the  sixty-yard  limit. 

"  Yermah  of  Tlamco  fails  with  two  points  out  of 
twenty-four  shots,  below  aim-point.  Two  are  above 


220  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  center  line.  Hanabusa  looses  six,  and  Ben  Hu 
Barabe,  four.  Shall  the  victor  take  the  citadel?  " 

"  Merit  wins  him  a  shot  at  the  birds,"  came  from 
all  sides. 

"  Yermah  of  Tlamco,  wilt  thou  capture  the  citadel 
of  our  hearts  by  a  final  test  of  skill  before  being 
crowned  with  the  yew  wreath?  " 

When  he  could  make  himself  heard,  Yermah  signi 
fied  his  willingness  to  comply  with  this  request.  For 
the  first  time  in  an  hour  Keroecia  caught  sight  of 
his  face.  It  was  pale,  set  and  resolute,  and  she 
saw  that  the  strain  was  telling  on  him. 

"  The  parrot  shall  cry  thee  aim,  and  must  remain 
unharmed.  Thou  mayst  kill  the  blue  or  the  black 
bird,  but  thou  must  only  release  the  peaceful  dove. 
Wilt  thou  remember  the  conditions?  " 

Satisfying  this  demand  from  the  judges,  Yermah 
came  within  range,  and  waited  a  favorable  oppor 
tunity.  By  a  sudden  jerk  of  a  cord  extending  down 
the  side  of  the  pole,  the  ball  and  crossbar  began  to 
revolve,  and  the  birds  were  on  the  wing. 

"  Chay!  chay!  chay!  "  shrieked  the  mocking,  inso 
lent  blue-jay. 

"Caw!  caw!  caw!"  croaked  the  raven;  while 
the  parrot  screamed  banteringly; 

"Boy  what  ails  thee?  Come  on!  Ha!  ha!  ha! 
Oh,  dear!  Ah!  ha!  ha  I  — Sit  still!  Who  will 
catch  thy  barb?  I'll  catch  it?  Thou  fool,  never!  " 
Then  changing  tone  entirely  to  one  of  biting  sarcasm: 

"  Here's  a  pretty  mess  —  a  pretty  mess !  "  There 
was  silence  for  a  time.  Then  in  a  thin,  piping  voice 
and  ludicrous  intonation : 

"I  shall  faint!  I  shall  expire!  Help!  help!" 
screeched  the  bird.  Then,  she  became  sympathetic: 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

"  That's  bad,  very  bad !  What  a  poor  shot ! 
Dear  me !  Ha  !  ha !  ha !  ha-ha-ha-ha !  Aim  high ! 
aim  low !  don't  aim  at  all !  Ah !  ha  I  ha !  ha !  — 
ha!  ha!  ha!  ha!" 

The  parrot  was  chained  to  the  top  of  the  pole,  so 
that  it  could  not  fly.  To  make  the  aim  more  diffi 
cult  the  other  birds  were  fastened  by  cords  of  unequal 
length.  Each  one  must  be  freed  by  the  arrow,  and 
then  the  marksman  must  wing  it  before  it  escaped. 

The  first  liberated  was  the  blue-jay.  Yermah  cut 
the  cord  neatly,  and  then  hit  the  bird  while  it  was 
still  rising.  The  arrow  fell  near  the  base  of  the 
pole,  bringing  the  right  wing  with  it. 

The  Dorado  had  won  the  yew  wreath,  and  he  now 
turned  to  the  women's  side  of  the  pavilion  for  a 
signal.  They  could  demand  the  last  three  shots. 
Would  they  do  it? 

He  waited  for  Keroecia  to  say.  She  was  sur 
rounded  by  a  perfect  rabble,  gesticulating,  shouting 
and  leaning  eagerly  toward  her. 

Finally,  she  arose,  and  threw  up  her  hand  to  com 
mand  silence.  In  the  lull,  she  turned  to  Yermah, 
who  removed  his  helmet  and  inclined  his  head  toward 
her,  while  she  picked  up  a  black  flag  and  waved  it. 

There  was  an  answering  shout  and  a  cheer  and 
Yermah  prepared  to  shoot  again.  This  time  he 
aimed  at  the  raven.  He  cut  the  cord  near  the  pole, 
and  its  weight  caused  the  bird  to  fly  downward  in  an 
oblique  line.  Quick  as  a  flash  the  second  arrow  sped, 
and  the  raven  came  down  pierced  through  the  heart. 

Once  more  the  ball  at  the  top  was  set  whirling. 
The  dove,  seemingly  more  accustomed  to  this  mo 
tion,  rose  slowly,  so  that  the  final  arrow  took  off  a 
toe,  in  severing  the  cord.  The  bird  soared  up  in 


222  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

concentric  circles,  but  long  before  the  plaudits  ceased, 
it  was  perched  in  exactly  the  same  place  from  which 
it  had  risen. 

The  Monbas  and  Azes  fought  and  struggled  with 
each  other  for  the  privilege  of  carrying  the  hero  off 
the  ground  on  their  shoulders,  while  the  musicians 
played  the  folk  songs  of  the  Azes. 

At  this  juncture,  Setos,  Alcamayn  and  Cezardis 
galloped  into  the  ring,  and  began  putting  arrows 
into  the  target  as  they  rode  by.  Round  and  round 
they  went,  sometimes  shooting  forward,  more  often 
backward,  first  on  a  leisurely  gallop,  then  on  a  dead 
run.  Suddenly  they  wheeled  and  headed  for  the 
entrance  where  they  were  met  by  Yermah,  Hanabusa 
and  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  mounted  on  thoroughbreds, 
armed  with  shields,  horn-bows  and  quivers  full  of 
murderous-looking  arrows. 

"  Hih!  hih!  hih!  "  chorused  the  multitude,  as  the 
horsemen  made  for  the  target,  which  was  moving  up 
and  down  while  revolving. 

"Click-ety!  click-ety!  click-ety!  click!"  pattered 
the  horses'  hoofs  in  a  fine  burst  of  speed. 

"  Wheel  and  fire !  "  shouted  the  Dorado,  suiting 
the  action  to  the  word  when  nearly  opposite  the  disk. 

"  P — sh !  "  whistled  the  arrows  as  they  hit  the 
target  almost  simultaneously. 

"  Three  arrows  full  tilt !  "  was  the  next  command, 
which  was  no  sooner  given  than  obeyed. 

"  Backward  shot  —  three  arrows  !  Send  them  in 
to  the  pole;  then  circle  it  and  pull  them  out." 

The  horsemen  were  crisscrossing  each  other  in 
every  direction,  flinging  sand  into  one  another's 
faces.  The  spirited  animals  were  rearing  and  ca 
reering,  standing  on  their  hind-legs  or  sitting  back 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

on  their  haunches  while  this  maneuver  was  being 
executed. 

"A  souvenir  for  the  women  before  we  go!  Let 
every  man  of  us  put  a  dart  into  the  post  on  a  level 
with  our  heads.  Then  race  out  of  here  together." 

The  horses  bent  themselves  nearly  double.  With 
mouths  open  and  nostrils  distended,  they  responded 
to  the  impulse  of  bit  and  spur.  While  the  spent  ar 
rows  were  vibrating  like  whipcords,  they  plunged 
forward  and  raced  for  the  entrance  neck  and  neck, 
urged  to  their  utmost  capacity  by  the  fire-crackers 
and  bombs  exploding  at  their  heels. 

The  people  rose  en  masse,  and  shouted  themselves 
hoarse,  drowning  the  kettle-drums  and  gongs  in  the 
general  uproar.  In  the  midst  of  it  the  horsemen 
whirled  and  dashed  back  into  the  arena,  in  hot  pur 
suit  of  Yermah,  whose  head  was  almost  level  with 
Cibolo's  neck,  as  this  splendid  racer  stretched  himself 
over  the  ground. 

All  the  men  had  on  wadded  cotton  tunics,  covered 
with  bull's-hide  armor,  put  together  in  strips  and 
riveted  with  brass  bosses.  They  wore  visored 
helmets,  and  carried  circular  shields  of  burnished 
bronze.  Before  they  had  encircled  the  ring,  it 
was  evident  that  it  was  a  sham  attack  on  Yermah. 
They  tried  to  ride  him  down,  but  Cibolo  foiled  them 
with  an  instinct  almost  human.  They  often  fired  at 
the  rider,  but  were  never  able  to  hit  him. 

Yermah  returned  arrow  for  arrow,  sometimes 
from  behind  his  shield,  sometimes  forward,  more 
often  backward,  single  arrows,  and  three  at  a  time. 
Throwing  up  his  shield  to  protect  himself,  or  dropping 
over  on  the  side  of  his  horse  so  there  was  but  one  leg 
over  the  saddle,  on  and  on  he  went. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


At  an  unexpected  moment,  Yermah  wheeled  and 
charged  furiously,  lassoing  the  horse  ridden  by  Setos, 
and  then,  by  a  skillful  maneuver  and  a  daring  leap, 
broke  through  the  circle  which  had  formed  around 
him. 

He  escaped  into  the  tower  of  refuge  —  a  low  semi 
circle  in  front  of  the  pavilion  —  taking  his  captive 
with  him. 

When  Yermah  rode  out  to  receive  the  yew  wreath 
and  red  ribbon  of  valor,  there  was  not  an  arrow  in 
his  armor  nor  a  dent  in  his  shield.  He  had  escaped 
without  a  single  scratch. 

While  his  name  was  on  every  one's  lips,  he 
modestly  sought  Keroecia.  There  were  tears  in  her 
eyes,  which  welled  over  on  the  two  bright  red  spots 
on  either  cheek,  as  she  turned  to  greet  him.  Her 
lips  trembled,  but  she  smiled  while  giving  him  her 
hand.  He  sat  down  beside  her  almost  equally  over 
come.  Close  to  her  ear  he  said  earnestly,  and  but 
little  above  a  whisper: 

"  I  love  thee.  It  is  thine  opinion  I  value.  All 
else  is  naught." 

He  read  his  triumph  in  her  eyes;  she  heard  the 
one  declaration  in  the  world  for  her.  They  were 
alone  in  the  crowd,  whose  unheeded  plaudits  came 
to  them  in  an  impersonal  sort  of  way. 

They  had  a  few  minutes'  respite  from  the  duties 
of  the  hour,  a  little  season  of  quiet  communion,  while 
a  feeling  of  adoration  welled  up  from  their  hearts 
and  submerged  all  the  other  senses.  It  created  a 
halo  about  them  and  moistened  the  shining  eyes  gaz 
ing  steadfastly  at  one  another.  Overpowering  emo 
tion  rendered  them  speechless,  while  the  soul  union, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  225 

the  mating  of  their  real  selves,  was  consummated 
in  a  wordless  covenant. 

During  the  eloquent  silence  each  had  knowledge 
that  the  other  had  set  up  a  shrine  in  the  holy  of 
holies  of  their  being  which  none  of  the  trials  of 
after-life  would  desecrate,  nor  would  either  ever  be 
capable  of  violating  its  sanctity. 

In  this  expression  of  love  was  that  perfect  blending 
of  ideality  and  desire  which  is  the  very  essence  of 
marriage.  It  is  the  molding  and  cementing  influences 
which,  in  fortunate  cases,  so  dominates  such  intimate 
and  close  association  that  in  old  age  they  look,  speak 
and  act  alike.  Nor  does  death  finally  take  one  and 
leave  the  other. 

The  skill  and  dexterity  of  the  bowmen,  the  wild, 
fearless  riding,  the  daring  onslaughts,  the  imminent 
risk  of  life  and  limb  smacked  strongly  enough  of 
actual  warfare  to  arouse  the  tiger  which  at  our  best 
moments  only  sleeps  within  us. 

Like  true  children  of  nature,  these  people  entered 
with  much  zest  into  the  ridiculous  performances  of 
a  monkey  and  clown  perched  upon  the  backs  of  swift- 
paced  burros. 

In  the  midst  of  this  race,  jugglers  with  balls,  jave 
lins,  disks  and  parasols,  gave  exhibitions  of  their 
skill,  while  heavy  copper  bars  and  hammers  were 
tossed  and  flung  about  with  apparent  ease.  It  was 
a  busy  time  with  the  gamblers  and  fortune-tellers, 
as  well  as  with  the  venders  of  all  kinds  of  trinkets. 

"Clang!  clang!  clang!  clang!"  sounded  the  big 
gong. 

"  Clear  the  ring  for  the  caribou  race !  "  shouted 
the  cazique,  as  he  clattered  by  on  horseback. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


"  Clear  the  ring,  everybody  1  This  is  the  women's 
race!" 

While  the  performers  were  scurrying  about,  obey 
ing  this  order  by  getting  their  belongings  out  of  the 
way  as  rapidly  as  possible,  three  chariots  were  driven 
in,  containing  Keroecia,  Ildiko  and  Alcyesta. 

"  Yermah,  the  victorious,  challenges  for  the  high- 
priestess,  Keroecia,"  announced  the  judges,  as  Yer 
mah  advanced  to  the  head  of  the  priestess's  team. 

In  the  deafening  outburst  following  on  all  sides, 
the  caribou  became  unmanageable,  and  it  was  several 
minutes  before  the  entanglement  could  be  straight 
ened  out  sufficiently  to  warrant  further  procedure. 

"  Alcamayn  of  Tlamco,  challenges  for  fair 
Ildiko." 

The  little  jeweler  stepped  out  proudly  and  took 
a  position  in  front  of  the  state  carriage  of  the  Azes, 
the  same  ivory  and  gold  vehicle  which  Yermah  had 
driven  when  Keroecia  visited  the  Llama  city. 

"  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  of  Anokia,  challenges  for  Al 
cyesta.  The  contest  is  for  a  gold  cup,  given  by  this 
city.  Partisans  of  each  team  must  lay  wagers  lively. 
Stand  back,  men,  and  give  the  women  a  chance! 
Once  and  a  half  around  the  ring!  Now  for  the 
cup!" 

The  three  chariots  went  over  the  chalk-line  in  a 
fairly  even  start,  and  the  sharp  click  of  running  hoofs 
and  the  buzzing  of  the  wheels  told  of  the  speed 
being  made. 

It  was  easy  to  distinguish  the  racers.  The  wide 
palmated  horns  made  each  runner  instinctively  pull 
apart,  so  that  bunching  was  impossible.  Besides 
this,  the  colors  were  very  distinct. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

Keroecia  wore  yellow,  with  a  jeweled  agraffe  and 
girdle,  while  on  her  head  was  still  the  ingenious 
crown  of  golden  grains.  Her  chariot  was  of  pale 
green,  elaborate  in  decorations  of  dull  gold  on  raised 
patterns.  Streamers  of  the  same  color  fluttered  here 
and  there,  and  were  threaded  in  a  network  over  the 
heads  of  the  caribou. 

Ildiko  was  in  light  blue,  with  an  embroidered 
Zouave  jacket  of  black.  A  jeweled  band  confined  her 
long,  crinkly  white  hair,  while  red  and  white  cords 
interlaced  the  wide-spreading  horns  of  her  racers. 

Alcyesta's  chariot  was  black,  but  rich  in  traceries 
of  silver  and  painted  flower  ornaments.  She  wore 
a  pink  robe,  with  a  silver  agraffe  and  girdle,  set  with 
pearls  and  turquoise.  Pink  and  white  cords  trim 
med  her  whip  and  tied  the  horns  of  the  caribou. 

For  an  instant  the  chariots  moved  side  by  side, 
the  women  giving  free  rein,  but  withholding  the 
whips.  At  the  first  quarter,  Ildiko  led  slightly;  but 
in  attempting  to  round  the  curve  of  the  half-goal, 
Alcyesta  caught  a  wheel  in  the  post,  snapping  it  in 
two,  like  so  much  straw. 

With  such  momentum,  it  was  not  possible  to  check 
the  speed,  and  before  either  could  prevent  it  the 
horns  of  Ildiko's  and  Alcyesta's  teams  were  tightly 
interlocked.  Instantly  there  was  a  terrific  hubbub. 
Men  from  all  sides  ran  to  their  assistance. 

"  Let  us  race  it  out !  "  cried  Ildiko. 

"Agreed!  "  answered  Alcyesta;  and  both  women 
laid  on  the  lash  forcibly,  scorching  the  ground  with 
their  flying  wheels. 

"  Keep  clear!  Give  them  leeway!  "  shouted  the 
cazique,  charging  the  crowd  with  his  horse.  The 
caribou  had  shaken  themselves  loose. 


228  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  It  is  a  splendid  race !  "  cried  the  judges,  as  the 
last  quarter  stake  was  passed. 

"  Run,  Ildiko !  " 

"  Use  thy  whip,  Keroecia !  Thou  must  not  let 
them  beat  thee  after  all!  " 

"  Give  them  their  heads,  Alcyesta  !  Thy  reins  are 
too  tight  I  " 

The  women  were  leaning  forward  talking  to 
the  nervy  roadsters,  with  hair  flying  over  their 
shoulders,  ribbons  fluttering,  and  the  wheels  fairly 
singing  as  they  flew  past  the  chalk-line. 

"  It  is  an  open  race  for  the  cup.  Keroecia  took  no 
advantage.  Now  she  must  run  for  it !  " 

And  she  did.  Saphis  and  Phoda  knew  her  voice. 
They  caught  her  impulse  as  she  loosed  the  rein,  and 
they  went  like  the  wind. 

"  Crack!  crack!  "  snapped  her  tiny  whiplash. 

It  seemed  as  if  the  caribou  would  jump  out  of  their 
skins.  Not  being  accustomed  to  the  whip,  they  were 
much  more  frightened  by  its  noise  than  by  the  sting 
of  its  lash.  Theirs  was  simply  a  mad  headlong 
plunge  forward,  taken  in  time  to  clear  the  first  goal. 

Ildiko  and  Alcyesta  had  enough  to  do  in  prevent 
ing  a  break  as  their  knowing  animals  neared  the 
scene  of  their  former  mishap.  They  were  fearless 
runners,  and  responded  gamely  to  the  lash ;  but  there 
was  an  imperceptible  hesitation,  a  disposition  to  shy, 
and  Keroecia  whipped  in  a  full  neck  ahead. 

On  she  went  around  the  ring,  unable  to  control  her 
terror-stricken  team.  It  was  the  whip  laid  on  their 
tender  backs  for  the  second  time  which  rendered 
them  unmanageable. 

"  Hold  them  steady  until  they  calm  down,"  ad 
vised  the  cazique,  galloping  beside  her. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  229 

Setos  and  Alcamayn  hastened  to  Ildiko,  assisting 
her  to  alight,  while  Ben  Hu  Barabe  carried  his  wife 
through  the  crowd  and  set  her  down  in  safety  be 
fore  turning  his  attention  to  Keroecia. 

"Ho,  Saphis!  Ho,  Phoda!  Fear  not,  little 
ones!  Thou  hast  done  nobly!  Steady!  Steady 
now!  Ho!  Ho!" 

She  had  braced  herself  against  the  front  of  the 
chariot  and  was  pulling  back  with  all  her  might. 
With  a  quick,  sharp  turn,  the  cazique  reined  up  in 
front  of  the  vehicle  just  as  Yermah  caught  the  bit 
of  one  of  the  caribou. 

The  sudden  stop  threw  Keroecia  across  the  dash 
board.  She  quickly  recovered  her  footing,  bruised 
and  shaken,  but  much  more  concerned  for  the  steam 
ing,  panting,  high-strung  winners  than  for  herself. 
She  spoke  soothingly  to  the  animals,  as  she  stroked 
their  ugly  proboscis-like  snouts,  while  they  champed 
their  foam-flecked  bits  and  gazed  at  her  with  still 
a  gleam  of  terror  in  their  eyes. 

As  soon  as  the  ring  was  cleared,  the  people  set 
tled  themselves  back  and  looked  expectant.  Fa 
miliar  as  they  were  with  a  mammoth  elephant  there 
was  always  something  fascinating  in  its  unwieldly 
bulk. 

The  crowd  had  waited  all  day  with  characteristic 
patience  to  see  the  tricks  of  some  performing  ele 
phants,  brought  down  by  the  Mazamas  from  the 
far  north,  especially  to  honor  Keroecia. 

Zoyara,  Cezardis  and  Zombra  came  through  the 
entrance  dressed  in  black  skin-tight  garments  ablaze 
with  mica  spangles  and  barbaric  jewels.  They  wore 
gayly  striped  sashes  around  their  waists,  and  ostrich 


230  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

feathers  in  the  silver  head-bands,  while  their  arms 
and  ankles  jingled  with  bracelets  and  bells. 

Back  of  them  came  two  keepers  leading  a  pair  of 
tremendously  large  rusty-black,  shaggy-coated  ele 
phants,  with  long,  ivory  tusks,  which  curved  out 
and  curled  up  viciously.  Zombra  and  Zoyara 
stepped  to  one  side.  Cezardis  called: 

"  Hear  ye  all !  These  young  and  tender  creatures 
are  in  love.  Sven  here  is  about  to  offer  himself  to 
the  shapely  Loke,  whom  he  loves  to  distraction. 
Bashful  young  men,  please  take  notice  !  This  exhibi 
tion  is  for  thy  especial  benefit." 

He  gave  both  elephants  a  sharp  prod  with  a 
bronze-tipped  goad  which  he  carried.  Sven  began 
to  tremble  all  over.  His  huge  loose  skin,  much  too 
big  for  his  ponderous  body,  moved  forth  and  back 
mechanically,  in  well-simulated  emotion,  and  the  hair 
raised  in  every  direction  as  he  approached  Loke. 

"  Down  on  your  knees,  sir !  Down,  sir,"  shouted 
Cezardis,  hitting  him  a  heavy  whack  across  his  fore 
legs.  The  elephant  fairly  shook  the  ground  beneath 
him  as  he  came  to  a  kneeling  posture. 

"  Bow  your  head  respectfully,  sir !  "  commanded 
Cezardis. 

Sven  laid  his  ears  close  to  his  head,  and  drew  his 
trunk  well  under,  giving  himself  a  ludicrously  shame 
faced  expression. 

"  Give  Sven  his  answer,  Loke.     Answer,  I  say!  " 

Loke  stuck  her  trunk  up  in  the  air,  and  with  a  dis 
dainful  toss  of  her  head,  waddled  off  in  an  opposite 
direction,  to  the  delight  of  the  audience.  Their 
shouts  of  laughter  were  a  signal  to  Sven. 

He  fell  over  on  his  side,  and  stiffened  himself  out 
as  if  he  were  dead. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  231 

"Oh,  poor  fellow!  P-o-o-r  fellow!"  cried 
Cezardis,  with  mock  pathos.  "  I  know  how  it  is  my 
self,  sir." 

The  elephant  raised  its  head  and  looked  at  him. 

"  Think  better  of  it,  old  man.  Thou  mayst  have 
had  a  lucky  escape.  Here  comes  her  sister  and  hus 
band.  Let  us  stand  to  one  side  and  observe  how 
they  get  on.  Brace  up,  sir !  " 

Sven  and  Loke  were  on  the  outside  when  the 
keepers  brought  in  the  other  pair  of  elephants  — 
Loke  keeping  her  head  in  an  opposite  direction. 

Cezardis  gravely  introduced  the  newcomers,  and 
then  turned  to  the  putative  husband  and  asked: 

"  Didst  thou  have  a  good  breakfast  this  morning, 
sir?" 

The  elephant  shook  his  head  and  trumpeted  dole 
fully.  His  mate  stamped  the  ground  indignantly, 
then  rushed  at  him,  butting  him  in  the  side.  He 
whirled  around  and  kicked  at  her.  Then  they  locked 
trunks  and  seemed  bent  upon  annihilating  each  other 
with  their  sawed-off  stumpy  tusks. 

"How  is  this  for  married  life,  sir?"  inquired 
Cezardis. 

Sven  turned  to  his  audience  and  winked  prodigi 
ously,  while  his  sides  shook  as  if  he  were  convulsed 
with  laughter. 

At  this  moment  Loke  picked  up  a  saw-tooth  palm- 
leaf  with  her  trunk,  and  hid  her  face. 

Cezardis  allowed  the  putative  benedict  to  toss 
him  up  in  the  air  several  times,  and  finally,  by  a 
dexterous  leap,  landed  between  the  mammoth's 
ears. 

"  The  long-looked-for  elephant  race  is  about  to 
begin.  To  give  some  idea  of  the  individual  gait, 


232  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

we  shall  first  walk  the  animals,  and  then  they  will 
trot  side  by  side  for  points.  Do  not  let  the  disgrace 
ful  conduct  of  the  wedded  pair  weigh  against  them. 
A  bad  breakfast  tries  the  best  of  us." 

There  was  a  loud  blare  of  trumpets  and  a  vigor 
ous  beating  of  kettle-drums,  while  the  spectators 
cheered  heartily,  as  Cezardis  turned  somersaults, 
stood  on  his  head,  and  played  all  sorts  of  pranks  on 
the  back  and  above  the  ears  of  the  elephant. 

The  animals  walked  first  leisurely  and  then  more 
hurriedly  around  the  ring.  When  the  second  round 
was  completed,  Cezardis  boldly  slid  down  the  trunk 
of  the  leader,  and  with  a  graceful  bow  ran  out  of 
the  way. 

The  keepers  adroitly  arranged  the  elephants  in 
pairs,  throwing  a  gourdful  of  capsicum  into  each 
mouth,  in  order  to  increase  their  pace. 

"  The  race  begins!  Close  thy  bets!"  shouted 
Cezardis. 

The  trainers  of  the  animals  used  the  goad  un 
sparingly,  and  soon  the  huge  mountains  of  flesh  were 
stretching  their  tree-like  legs  to  the  utmost. 

They  trotted  ponderously  side  by  side  for  a  few 
moments  amid  the  clangor  of  bells,  the  deafening 
shouts  of  the  multitude,  and  an  ever-increasing  tempo 
of  music. 

"  Sven  and  Loke  lead  the  first  quarter!"  yelled 
the  judges. 

"  Their  pace  increases !  "  cried  everybody,  and  the 
excitement  was  at  fever  heat  when  the  elephants  be 
gan  to  trumpet. 

Before  they  reached  the  half-stake  they  were  all 
galloping  wildly,  and  the  spectators  were  beginning 
to  look  at  each  other  with  blanched  faces. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

On  the  racing  animals  came  round  the  turning- 
point,  trumpeting  and  bellowing  furiously.  Every 
jump  shook  the  ground  under  them  like  an  earth 
quake,  until  the  pavilion  itself  rocked  like  a  ship 
at  sea. 

Fortunately,  the  race  started  near  the  entrance,  and 
the  panic-stricken  people  were  now  scrambling  reck 
lessly,  some  through  the  wide-open  gates,  while  others 
clambered  up  for  the  highest  seats  where  they  hud 
dled  together  and  clung  to  one  another  frantically. 

On  the  maddened  animals  came,  with*  their  mouths 
wide  open  and  their  swinging  trunks  sprinkling  cap 
sicum,  copiously  mixed  with  saliva,  over  everything. 

They  were  in  a  compact  mass,  moving  with  all  the 
irresistible  velocity  of  an  avalanche,  and  growing 
more  and  more  terrified  at  their  own  freedom. 

Great  rivers  of  brine  poured  from  their  bulging 
eyes,  while  their  mouths  drooled  as  if  they  were  on 
fire. 

The  unerring  instinct  which  distinguishes  their 
descendants  caused  these  forest  monsters  to  fall  into 
line  one  behind  the  other,  as  they  made  for  the  open 
air. 

Men  and  animals  fled  before  them  in  every  direc 
tion  as  they  thundered  down  the  valley,  stampeding 
everything  for  miles  around.  Their  trumpetings 
could  be  heard  long  after  they  were  out  of  sight,  and 
it  was  easy  to  track  them  —  for  they  beat  down  a 
solid  pathway  fully  a  foot  below  the  surface. 

Cezardis  and  the  keepers  mounted  and  hastened 
after  them.  After  an  hour's  hard  riding,  they  were 
found,  standing  in  the  river  industriously  spouting 
water  over  their  unsubmerged  backs. 

"  The  heat  and  excitement  has  been  too  much  for 


234  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

them,"  Cezardis  said,  making  an  ineffectual  attempt 
to  stay  the  panic.  "  There  is  nothing  to  fear.  It 
is  only  their  idea  of  a  frolic." 

To  the  keepers  he  said,  "  What  under  the  sun 
didst  thou  give  the  brutes?  " 

"  A  gourdful  of  capsicum,"  answered  one  of  them. 
"  We  knew  thou  wert  in  the  habit  of  slipping  a 
pepperpod  in  their  mouths  when  thou  wouldst  have 
them  appear  lively.  And,"  he  naively  continued, 
"  we  knew  they  would  be  thirsty  in  the  heat  and 
crowd." 

"  It  will  not  be  safe  to  take  them  back  to  the 
pavilion.  An  elephant  never  forgets  an  injury,  and 
they  would  probably  demolish  the  whole  place  if 
they  saw  it  again.  Thou  art  sufficiently  punished 
by  being  obliged  to  remain  here  on  guard,  while 
the  feasting,  music  and  dancing  goes  on,  to-night.  I 
shall  send  thee  covering  and  food,"  he  promised,  as 
he  swung  into  the  saddle  and  started  back. 

The  massive  feet  of  the  mammoths  threw  up 
clouds  of  dusty  sand,  thickening  the  air  like  fog, 
while  the  floor  of  the  amphitheater  looked  as  if  it 
had  been  newly  plowed. 

With  their  exodus  the  still  terrified  people  rushed 
out  of  the  enclosure  pell-mell.  They  pushed  and 
crowded  through  the  gateways  as  if  danger  assailed 
them  from  behind. 

Those  in  the  lead  made  great  haste  after  they  had 
passed  out,  dragging  their  children  by  the  hands, 
while  the  little  ones  looked  back  over  their  shoulders 
and  cried  as  they  ran  along. 


CHAPTER  SIXTEEN 

THE   FEASTING THE   DANCING  AND  THE      BE 
TROTHAL   CUP 

THE  sun  was  inclining  well  toward  the  west, 
and  there  was  a  savory  smell  of  roasted 
meats,  steaming  vegetables  and  ripe  fruits 
assailing  the  olfactory  nerves,  and  appealing  strongly 
to  the  inner  man  —  the  unchained  tiger  of  the 
stomach. 

The  children  set  up  an  impatient  clamor  for  some 
thing  to  eat,  as  they  caught  sight  of  the  long,  low 
tables  spread  under  the  trees;  but,  there  was  a  de 
corum  to  be  observed,  which  the  elders  rigidly  en 
forced. 

Whole  animals  had  been  roasting  through  the 
previous  night  in  trenches  twelve  feet  long,  two  feet 
wide,  and  two  feet  deep.  Fires  were  built  in  them, 
and  when  thoroughly  dried  out,  great  spits  were  put 
in  half-way  to  the  top,  and  over  a  bed  of  red-hot 
charcoal  the  meat  was  cooked.  During  this  proc 
ess  it  was  moistened  frequently  with  spiced  vinegar, 
and  a  sauce  piquante  of  chili,  with  which  salt  had 
been  freely  mixed. 

Beef,  venison  and  bear-meat  were  prepared  in  this 
way,  while  rabbits,  wild  turkeys,  geese,  ducks,  quail 
and  small  birds  were  roasted  and  stewed  by  separate 
methods.  Near  the  trenches,  pots  of  curry,  rice  and 
mutton  were  simmering  over  slow  fires.  Deep  brass 

235 


236  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

cylinders,  with  glowing  charcoal  in  the  bettor^  kept 
steaming  tamales  ready  for  instant  service. 

There  were  great  ash-heaps  filled  with  sweet  pota 
toes  roasted  to  a  turn.  Huge  chafing-dishes  con 
tained  beans,  tomatoes,  stuffed  cucumbers  and  stews 
of  all  kinds,  while  lettuce,  cresses,  red  peppers, 
radishes,  leeks  and  onions  were  heaped  upon  the 
tables  in  profusion. 

Nasturtium  seeds,  capers  and  olives  were  among 
the  relishes.  Great  brick  ovens  hid  many  a  fruit  con 
fection  and  pastry,  and  there  were  stacks  of  tortillas 
fresh  from  the  hands  of  the  baker.  Fresh  curds  and 
honey  were  in  liberal  allowance  on  each  table,  while 
large  wicker  baskets  groaned  with  their  burden  of  ripe 
peaches,  pears,  apples,  guavas,  bananas,  tunas  and 
pineapples. 

On  clean  grass  mats  were  water-melons,  cantaloupes 
and  grapes  while  oranges,  lemons,  pomegranates  and 
quinces  were  among  the  candied  and  preserved  fruits. 

Walnuts,  peanuts,  filberts  and  pine-nuts  by  the 
bushel,  were  at  hand  for  service,  while  immense  jars 
were  filled  with  pulque,  metheglin,  tequila  and  kou 
miss.  These  drinks  were  called  "  zadar  "  meaning 
to  spin,  as  the  head  feels  after  indulging  in  them. 
For  the  more  soberly  inclined  there  was  chocolate 
flavored  with  vanilla,  and  piled  high  with  whipped 
cream,  served  either  hot  or  cold. 

Cotton  napkins  and  pottery  ewers  filled  with  water 
were  beside  each  earthenware  plate.  Despite  their 
impatience,  the  children  were  compelled  to  perform 
ablutions  the  same  as  their  elders,  before  sitting  to 
eat.  For  their  use,  lacquerware  dishes  were  pro 
vided. 

Gay-colored   silk   lanterns   hung    from   the   trees, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  237 

which  were  also  garlanded  overhead  with  ropes  of 
flowers,  filling  all  gaps  for  the  nonce  and  excluding 
the  too-searching  sunlight.  All  made  haste  to  sit, 
while  lips  moved  in  silent  thank-offerings. 

The  musicians  played  softly  as  Keroecia  passed 
rapidly  along  the  lines,  hospitably  sprinkling  ashes 
of  aloes  and  rosewater  over  the  people.  Many 
kissed  the  hem  of  her  garments,  or  murmured  bless 
ings  or  good  wishes  for  her  health  and  happiness. 

With  a  bound  she  was  up  the  steps  of  the  canopied 
dais  upon  which  the  tables  were  laid  for  herself  and 
special  guests.  Civil  and  military  officers  filled  the 
outer  seats,  while  the  priests  and  healers  faced  them. 

At  the  inner  table,  Yermah  sat  on  the  right  of 
Keroecia,  and  Cezardis  on  the  left.  Facing  them 
at  the  opposite  end  was  Alcyesta,  with  Zoyara  and 
Ben  Hu  Barabe.  The  intervening  spaces  were  oc 
cupied  by  Setos,  Rahula,  Alcamayn,  Ildiko,  Zombra, 
Suravia,  Hanabusa  and  Mineola. 

Fragrant  blossoms  in  the  form  of  globes,  stars  and 
cresents  hung  from  the  blue  domelike  canopy,  while 
fern  brakes  and  loose  bracken  wound  around  the  sup 
porting  columns.  Vases  of  silver,  gold  and  onyx,  set 
with  jewels,  supported  the  daintier  blooms  that 
adorned  the  table,  and  plates  and  spoons  of  tortoise- 
shells,  inlaid  with  mother-of-pearl,  contrasted  sharply 
with  the  white  cloth. 

Drinking-cups  of  polished  horn,  ewers  of  gold  and 
silver  inlaid  together,  and  hand  basins  of  bright 
enamel,  made  the  table  both  elegant  and  luxurious. 

As  Keroecia  approached,  her  guests  arose  and 
joined  in  the  shout  "  Ho-ra  !  Ho-ra  !  Ho-ra !  " 
which  went  up  from  the  multitude.  With  a  simple 
gesture,  Keroecia  bade  them  be  seated.  Then,  with 


238  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

a  sign  of  benediction  to  the  four  cardinal  points,  dur 
ing  which  time  all  joined  in  her  prayer,  she  seated 
herself,  and  the  feast  began. 

For  three  hours  they  ate,  drank  and  made  merry, 
passing  compliments  and  toasts  along  the  lines  of 
tables,  calling  pretty  sentiments  across  to  one  another, 
until  the  verge  of  temperate  indulgence  was  fully 
reached.  Long  before  this,  the  children  had  been  re 
leased  from  the  table  refreshed  and  ready  for  a 
romp  under  the  shade-trees.  With  a  sigh  of  satisfac 
tion,  their  elders  waited  for  a  signal  to  rise. 

"  A  libation  to  the  Ineffable  One,  the  Indivisible,  I- 
am-I,"  called  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  standing  back  of  his 
wife,  holding  a  patera  cup  of  ivory,  having  a  gold 
tracery  over  its  surface,  and  filled  to  the  brim  with 
pulque. 

"  Om-ah  I  Om-ah !  Om-ah !  "  was  the  reveren 
tial  response. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  faced  west,  and  with  a  graceful 
sweep  of  the  arm,  poured  the  liquid  on  the  ground. 

"  A  libation  to  the  Trinity,  whose  creative,  de 
structive  and  preservative  aspects  are  everywhere 
manifest,"  said  Yermah,  as  he  stood  behind  Keroecia, 
and  held  up  a  jeweled  cup  evenly  full  of  metheglin. 

"  Om-ah!  Om-ah  1  Om-ah!  "  responded  the  as 
semblage,  as  Yermah  made  a  low  obeisance  to 
the  east,  and  poured  out  the  offering  with  a  wide 
splash. 

"  A  libation  to  the  four  elements  of  the  All  Power 
ful  —  to  earth,  air,  fire  and  water  —  to  the  four  parts 
of  the  heavens  where  His  kingdoms  are,"  said 
Cezardis,  rising,  followed  immediately  by  Zoyara, 
Setos  and  Hanabusa,  each  holding  an  onyx  and  silver 
cup  brimming  over  with  koumiss. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  239 

Each  faced  a  cardinal  point  and  quickly  emptied 
his  cup. 

A  crash  of  music  mingled  with  the  "  Om-ahs !  " 
and  every  eye  turned  expectantly  toward  Keroecia. 

At  this  anniversary  each  year  since  Keroecia  had 
been  among  them,  a  bethrothal  cup  had  been  set  in 
the  center  of  her  table.  It  was  the  one  day  in  the 
year  when  she  was  privileged  to  choose  a  husband. 
The  marriageable  men  loyally  showed  themselves,  but 
stood  with  averted  faces  lest  their  intent  gaze  should 
embarrass  and  disconcert  her.  Every  one  withdrew 
from  the  table  and  left  her  free  to  act. 

Would  she  merely  bow  her  head  and  follow  her 
maidens,  as  she  had  done  before,  or  would  she  re 
turn  the  confidence  of  her  people  in  full?  She  was 
still  standing  as  they  left  her,  amid  a  feeling,  impres 
sive,  and  intense  silence. 

Quickly  she  called : 

"  Alcyesta,  Suravia,  Mineola,  intercede  for  me !  " 

Then  she  hastily  signed  to  the  musicians,  and,  soft 
as  a  breath  of  ^Eolian  harps,  came  the  answering 
notes.  The  three  priestesses  intoned  in  low,  sweet 
voices,  stretching  out  their  arms  in  supplication  to 
the  north,  west  and  south.  Their  bodies  swayed 
forth  and  back  as  they  brought  their  open  hands  even 
with  their  foreheads,  palms  downward,  and  then 
opened  their  arms  as  wide  as  possible  again,  repeat 
ing  the  process  continually.  Many  of  the  women 
were  moved  to  tears  as  they  heard  the  familiar 
strains,  while  some  of  them  mechanically  joined  in 
the  chant. 

Since  freedom  and  unconsciousness  are  the  only  ex 
pressions  of  modesty,  why,  in  the  name  of  all  that  is 
simple,  sincere,  and  natural,  is  it  considered  wrong 


240  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

for  a  woman  to  give  expression  to  affection.  As 
well  might  it  be  held  a  shame  to  live  and  breathe  be 
cause  uninvited  to  be  born.  It  may  be  that  it  is  for 
the  harmony,  delicacy,  joy,  mystery  and  beauty  of 
love  that  the  .differences  of  sex  should  be  recognized 
in  the  right  of  initiative.  Or  the  notion  may  lie 
in  the  atavism  of  human  nature  which  stands 
trembling  between  the  glory  of  its  destiny  and  the 
meanness  of  its  achievement. 

Keroecia  had  a  naive,  tender,  shrinking,  sensitive 
nature,  but  one  in  which  love  clothed  itself  with  many 
charms  and  graces.  There  was  no  sense  of  original 
sin  hanging  over  her  head  to  suppress,  intimidate  and 
pervert  her  love  nature.  She  knew  no  reason  why 
she  should  not  select  a  mate.  With  the  confidence 
of  this  assurance,  she  picked  up  the  betrothal  cup. 

The  act  combined  the  strength  of  the  sea,  the  firm 
ness  of  the  mountains,  the  freedom  of  the  winds,  with 
all  the  shy  grace  of  the  violet  hidden  by  tall  grasses 
and  veiled  with  dew. 

The  cup,  a  pale  violet  stone  which  had  been 
blocked  out  and  ground  down,  was  supported  by  a 
slender  golden  stem,  twisted  and  set  with  pearls  and 
emeralds. 

Something  of  the  import  of  Keroecia's  action 
dawned  upon  Yermah  as  he  stood  transfixed,  pale 
and  agitated,  while  his  very  life  seemed  to  hang  upon 
her  every  movement. 

It  was  a  woman's  courage,  born  of  love  —  the  love 
of  giving  herself  wholly  to  the  object  of  her  choice. 
Nerved  by  this  feeling,  she  came  toward  him  confi 
dently,  but  with  a  timid  smile  and  rising  color,  and 
gave  the  cup  into  his  trembling  hands. 

For  a  moment,  he  shrank  back  from  her. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

"  O  God!  My  oath!  "  was  wrung  from  his  lips. 
It  was  for  an  instant  only. 

"  But  I  love  her  with  all  my  soul !  "  he  cried,  as 
he  knelt  and  kissed  the  preferred  hand. 

Ignorant  and  innocent  alike  of  the  cause  of  his 
emotion,  Keroecia  sought  to  reassure  him. 

"  The  Monbas  will  love  thee,  too,"  she  said. 
"  Hear  their  assenting  shouts." 

"  Atlantis  and  her  dependencies  shall  worship  and 
adore  thee,  as  I  do.  Keroecia,  my  love,  I  shall  be  a 
loyal  husband  to  thee." 

"  As  I  shall  be  a  dutiful  and  loving  wife  to  thee !  " 

The  betrothed  couple  were  nearly  swept  off  their 
feet  by  the  crowds  which  surged  around  them.  The 
Monbas  and  Azes  embraced  each  other,  called  one 
another  brother,  and  pledged  fealty  to  the  new  al 
liance. 

Thus  was  the  compact  ratified. 

Every  one  was  anxious  to  talk  the  matter  over  with 
his  neighbor.  So,  they  all  sought  their  homes  in  ani 
mated  groups,  leaving  behind  a  scene  of  disorder. 
Napkins  were  scattered  wherever  the  last  ablutions 
were  performed.  Ewers  and  cups  with  their  contents 
had  been  frequently  overturned.  Fragments  of  food, 
cooked  and  uncooked,  some  untouched  and  others 
partly  eaten,  were  abandoned  by  the  sated  appetite, 
and  left  without  further  thought,  until  hunger  should 
recall  their  excellence. 

In  a  short  time  the  streets  were  silent  and  de 
serted,  the  remaining  hours  of  the  day  being  devoted 
to  a  siesta  indoors.  No  one  issued  from  his  house 
again  until  night  unpinned  a  black  curtain  and  rolled 
it  down  over  the  earth. 

When  God  had  hung  His  lanterns  in  the  sky,  the 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


people  came  together  again.  They  went  back  to  the 
pavilion  which  was  now  a  blaze  of  light  from  the 
many  flambeaux  stuck  into  brass  urns  around  the 
high  walls,  augmented  by  hundreds  of  silk  lanterns 
festooned  on  wires  stretching  across  to  the  center 
pole.  There  was  breeze  enough  to  keep  the  flags  in 
motion,  and  to  cause  the  lights  to  flicker  fitfully,  add 
ing  to  the  fairylike  beauty  of  the  scene. 

The  character  of  the  music  had  entirely  changed. 
The  kettle-drums  were  muffled  and  beaten  with  the 
fingers  only.  Instead  of  the  blare  of  trumpets,  there 
were  harps  such  as  the  Yaqui  Indians  use,  and  differ 
ing  but  little  from  the  modern  instruments. 

Slabs  of  black  and  white  marble  covered  the  ring 
floor,  save  where  a  wide  passageway  had  been  left 
on  all  sides  for  use  of  the  people  in  seating  them 
selves.  The  pavilion  had  been  transformed  into  a 
bower  of  roses  and  artificial  trees. 

Under  a  floral  canopy,  Keroecia,  dressed  in  white 
and  silver  gauze,  sat  with  one  of  the  judges  on  either 
side  of  her.  She  was  waiting  to  crown  the  victors. 
The  musicians  made  victory,  love  and  triumph  their 
theme,  as  Yermah,  escorted  by  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  ap 
proached  and  knelt  to  receive  a  crown  of  lilies  and 
a  palm. 

"  Rise  in  thy  majesty,  bearer  of  the  victorious 
palm  !  Go  forth  and  renew  thy  triumphs,  until  the 
sun  comes  again  to  strengthen  thy  lion  heart.  Peace 
be  with  thee  !  " 

"  Hear  me,  O  Priestess  !  Grant  thy  servant  leave 
to  encircle  thy  slender  fingers  with  a  set  of  rings  made 
for  thee,  having  the  virtues  of  the  planets  and  sent 
with  the  blessings  of  the  people  of  Tlamco,"  entreated 
Yermah,  kneeling. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  243 

"  Thy  wishes  and  those  of  thy  people  are  law  unto 
me,"  responded  Keroecia,  giving  him  her  hand. 

Alcamayn  presented  him  with  a  cushion  of  purple 
silk  on  which  lay  the  seven  rings. 

"  A  sapphire  set  in  gold,  worn  on  the  first  finger, 
brings  the  blessing  of  the  sun,"  said  the  Dorado,  slip 
ping  the  ring  on  her  finger.  "  Beside  it  I  place  a 
bloodstone  set  in  tin,  to  enlist  Jupiter  in  thy  welfare ; 
the  cautious  guardianship  of  Saturn  is  in  the  turquoise 
and  lead,  with  which  I  encircle  thy  middle  finger; 
Venus,  the  goddess  of  love,  governs  the  third  finger, 
and  for  an  amulet  demands  an  amethyst  set  in  copper; 
the  moon  inclines  the  heart  of  thy  people  toward 
thee,  and  will  bless  thee  with  children,  if  a  diamond 
in  silver  setting  is  also  placed  on  this  finger." 

Yermah  lingered  a  moment  over  his  task,  and 
looked  up  at  Keroecia  for  approval. 

"  This  curiously  wrought  band  contains  a  magnet, 
and  is  intended  for  the  little  finger,  the  throne  of 
Mercury,  the  wise  one,  who  stands  as  an  outer 
sentinel  to  guard  and  strengthen  love,"  he  continued. 

"  The  seat  of  will-power  is  in  the  thumb.  Let 
this  serpent  of  iron  with  an  emerald  eye  bring  to  thee 
the  warrior  spirit  of  the  planet  Mars,  subdued  and 
sweetened  by  the  quality  of  Venus.  May  the  All- 
Seeing  Eye  supply  thy  inner  vision,  and  may  every 
craving  of  thy  heart  be  satisfied." 

"  Then  must  thou  express  the  gratitude  oppressing 
me,  when  next  thy  voice  is  heard  in  the  Llama  city," 
replied  Keroecia,  as  she  motioned  Yermah  to  rise. 

Wreaths  of  bay-tree,  of  laurel  in  berry  (whence 
the  term  baccalaureate  comes  when  it  is  given  to  young 
physicians),  olive,  myrtle,  and  nasturtium  vines  were 
bestowed  and  proudly  worn  by  men  who  had  con- 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


tested  for  them  earlier  in  the  day.  To  the  less  suc 
cessful,  were  given  ribbons  of  red,  blue,  and  green. 

The  whole  scene  was  animated  and  brilliant.  The 
gayly  dressed  throng  pushed  and  elbowed  one  an 
other,  paying  little  or  no  attention  to  the  award  of 
prizes,  in  their  desire  to  see  and  to  be  seen. 

The  dances  were  about  to  begin,  and  there  was  a 
bevy  of  pretty  girls  ready  to  do  their  share.  Up  the 
steps  of  the  pavilion,  dancing  on  their  way,  came 
boys  dressed  as  birds  and  butterflies,  in  garments  of 
blue,  green,  and  yellow  plumes.  They  ascended  into 
the  artificial  trees,  moving  from  branch  to  branch, 
pretending  to  sip  dew  from  the  flowers.  Then  came 
the  special  guests,  who  were  garbed  like  gods,  having 
blow-guns  in  their  hands,  with  which  they  feigned  to 
shoot  the  birds. 

Keroecia  invited  the  visitors  into  her  bower,  and 
gave  them  a  mixture  of  rose-leaves  and  tobacco  to 
smoke. 

Immediately  the  familiar  strains  of  the  harvest 
dances  were  heard,  and  the  people  began  to  clap  their 
hands  in  accompaniment.  From  the  four  cardinal 
points  a  line  of  dancers  was  forming,  composed  of 
young  girls  dressed  as  fairies.  The  sylphs  came  from 
the  east,  dressed  in  sheer  white,  made  short  and  very 
full,  with  graduated  spangles  of  gold  coming  out 
like  a  sunburst  from  the  gold  band  at  the  waist. 
Orange  and  jasmine  blossoms  wreathed  their  heads. 
They  danced  quickly  up  to  the  pole  in  the  center,  and 
took  the  yellow  streamer  hanging  from  the  immense 
flower  parasol  suspended  over  the  top.  Joining 
hands,  they  waited  for  their  companions. 

Next  came  the  salamanders,  in  parti-colored  dresses 
of  flame-red  and  black,  so  thickly  spangled  with  mica 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

that  in  the  flaring  light  they  looked  as  if  sparks  had 
been  showered  over  them.  Their  long  black  hair 
was  full  of  diamond  powder,  and  they  had  red  roses 
and  carnations  on  their  heads.  The  same  dainty 
steps,  with  the  hems  of  their  stiff  skirts  in  their 
fingers,  brought  them  to  the  center  where  they  se 
cured  a  red  streamer. 

Then  came  the  undines,  the  water-sprites,  dressed 
in  Nile-green  gauze  liberally  trimmed  with  silver, 
while  their  girdles  were  of  silver  filigree,  shaped  like 
serpents.  Their  fluffy  white  hair  was  crowned  with 
lemon  and  citron  blooms,  and  agraffes  of  silver  were 
also  worn.  They  came  from  the  west,  and  selected 
a  white  streamer. 

From  the  north  came  queer  little  hunchbacked 
creatures,  wearing  conical  caps  which  terminated  in 
sharp  points.  These  gnomes  sparkled  with  mineral 
wealth,  in  jeweled  bodices  and  caps,  while  their 
skirts  were  earth-colored  gauze,  brightened  by  iri 
descent  sequins  and  embroideries.  These  dancers 
picked  up  the  remaining  black  streamer. 

Slowly  the  columns  began  to  circle  around  the  pole, 
going  faster  and  faster  until  the  streamers  were 
wound  around  it,  and  as  often  reversing  the  process. 
Forming  a  square,  they  began  a  basket  weave,  during 
which  time  little  children  ran  forth  and  back  to  repre 
sent  the  shuttle. 

With  a  grand  apotheosis  of  the  seasons,  during 
which  each  group  danced  separately,  and,  finally,  all 
together,  they  bowed,  threw  kisses  to  Keroecia,  and 
ran  off  the  platform. 

A  few  minutes  afterward,  each  square  of  marble 
was  occupied  by  a  young  woman  dressed  as  a  priest 
ess,  in  long,  voluminous  robes  of  pale  pink,  lavender, 


246  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

blue,  and  white,  with  double  and  single  key  patterns 
marked  out  in  black.  The  necks,  the  bottoms  of  the 
skirts,  and  the  edges  of  the  sleeves  were  so  orna 
mented.  Gold  bands  coiled  around  the  back  part  of 
the  head  and  held  the  long  hair  in  place.  Sandals, 
having  pointed  toes  curling  well  up  over  the  foot, 
and  laced  together  with  gold  cords,  completed  their 
costumes. 

The  dancers  were  placed  so  as  to  form  a  repre 
sentation  like  the  maze  of  Dasdalus,  and  each  whirled 
separately  and  at  such  a  rate  as  to  confuse  the  be 
holder. 

Ildiko  took  a  parti-colored  handkerchief  and  chal 
lenged  Alcamayn  to  follow  her.  *  The  dancers  kept 
up  the  whirling  wherever  she  was,  while  the  others 
held  their  interlaced  hands  high  over  their  heads  and 
danced  in  an  indescribable  labyrinth. 

In  and  out  darted  Ildiko,  with  a  tantalizing  fling 
of  the  handkerchief,  taxing  all  Alcamayn's  ingenuity 
to  follow,  especially  when  the  spectators  sought  to 
mislead  him  by  an  incessant  clamor  of  gratuitous  ad 
vice  over  and  above  the  hand-clapping.  Finally,  he 
succeeded  in  securing  a  corner  of  the  square,  which 
he  retained,  dancing  with  Ildiko  up  in  front  of  the 
pavilion. 

As  soon  as  Keroecia  recognized  them,  the  whole 
group  prostrated  themselves  before  her,  and  then 
rising  simultaneously,  executed  a  serpentine  dance,  in 
which  all  the  colors  were  beautifully  blended. 

As  the  music  ceased,  the  crowd  began  moving  to 
ward  the  gates,  and  soon  after,  quiet  reigned  supreme. 

Yermah  gained  courage  from  the  unfailing  kind 
ness  shown  him  everywhere.  It  loosed  his  tongue, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  247 

and  he  longed  to  talk  of  his  hopes  and  plans.  Lover- 
like,  he  was  tormented  with  curiosity  concerning  the 
minutiae  of  Keroecia's  life ;  so  he  lingered  the  greater 
portion  of  the  next  day  at  her  house. 

These  two  indulged  in  the  dearest,  sweetest  possi 
ble  exchange  of  confidences.  The  revelations  they 
made  amounted  to  nothing  in  themselves,  yet  were 
priceless  treasures  to  the  recipients. 

Halting  sentences,  eloquent  silences,  phrases 
broken  by  kisses  sweeter  than  honey  of  Hybla,  ex 
planations  emphasized  by  a  caressing  touch  of  the 
hand,  tones  and  accents  whose  inner  meaning  was 
made  plain  by  a  love-lit  eye,  all  the  sweet  nothings 
talked  heart-to-heart  by  lovers  gave  them  several 
hours  of  unalloyed  happiness. 

"  I  am  of  the  same  descent  as  thou  art,  my  be 
loved,"  said  Keroecia,  as  Yermah  drew  her  head  to 
ward  him,  and  kissed  the  hair  where  it  parted  on  her 
forehead. 

"  How  art  thou  related  to  me  except  by  the  silken 
cords  of  affection?"  he  asked,  ready  to  indulge  her 
for  the  sake  of  hearing  her  talk. 

"  Because  years  ago,  my  ancestry  came  from  At 
lantis." 

"  Very  true,  the  lans  were  originally  from  Atlantis, 
but  they  have  long  made  war  on  Nimrod's  descend 
ants." 

"  Oppression  and  ill-use  drove  them  to  rebellion. 
They  were  forbidden  to  worship  as  I  do,  and  for  this 
reason  they  set  themselves  free." 

"  I  went  directly  to  Nineveh,  a  callow  youth,  un 
gainly,  beardless  and  without  discretion  — " 

"  Wouldst  thou  have  me  quarrel  with  thee?  "  de 
manded  Keroecia,  as  she  held  her  hand  tightly  over 


248  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Yermah's  mouth.  He  shook  his  head,  and  with  his 
hands  imprisoned  the  audacious  member. 

"  Then  thou  must  not  abuse  my  property,"  she  con 
tinued,  with  an  engaging  pout. 

"  Wouldst  thou  have  loved  me  then?  "  he  asked. 
Being  satisfied  with  her  reply,  he  added:  "  There  I 
performed  the  first  labor  of  initiation." 

"What  meanest  thou,  by  initiation?  Is  it  some 
thing  Akaza  teaches  thee?  " 

"  Initiation  is  a  task  imposed  upon  me  by  the 
Brotherhood  of  the  White  Star  in  my  father's  court. 
When  I  have  finished  the  labors  I  shall  be  of  the 
Brotherhood  myself.  This  is  necessary  for  a  Grand 
Servitor." 

"  Tell  me  of  thy  journeyings,"  she  said,  nestling 
close  beside  him,  yet  with  a  coyness  and  reserve  all 
her  own.  "  Thou  hast  traveled  very  far." 

"  The  second  year  was  spent  at  l  Memphis,  Egypt, 
where  I  performed  the  second  labor.  Then  I  went 
among  our  colonists  in  1  Phoenicia;  thence  to  the 
1  Etruscans,  where  I  learned  to  work  in  metals;  then 
among  the  1  Kelts,  where  I  learned  bow-craft;  thence 
to  the  l  Vikings  and  the  land  of  the  1  Basques.  Re 
turning  to  Poseidon's  kingdom,  I  set  sail  for  the  land 
of  the  1  Incas;  and  from  there  I  came  to  Tlamco,  the 
last  outlying  colony  of  the  1  Toltecs,  one  of  the  three 
main  tributaries  to  the  Grand  Servitor  Poseidon. 
Art  thou  satisfied?  "  he  asked. 

"  Not  quite.  Hast  thou  loved  no  one  all  these 
years?  " 

'  Yes;  and  very  much,"  confidently  assented  Yer- 
mah. 

Kercecia  shrank  back  as  if  a  blow  had  been  dealt 
1  Modern  names  preferably  used. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  249 

her.  Everything  swam  before  her,  and  she  was 
faint  and  wan. 

"  Whom?  "  she  gasped. 

"  Myself,"  said  Yermah,  holding  her  tightly. 
"Art  thou  jealous?" 

"  Not  now,"  she  replied,  with  a  look  that  en 
chanted  her  admirer. 

"  Wilt  thou  hear  other  confessions  ?  I  can  accuse 
myself  of  much  more." 

"  And  compel  me  to  love  thee  the  more  for  them 
all.  Thou  shalt  leave  me  sufficient  mind  for  beset 
ting  affairs,"  answered  Keroecia. 

"  Wouldst  thou  have  me  for  thy  slave?  " 

"  No.     But  I  would  be  thine." 

"  Lend  thy  confidence  fully,  that  I  may  worship 
where  thou  art  pleased,  and  abhor  that  which  offends 
thee." 

'  That  which  I  value  most  of  all  my  possessions  is 
this  distaff  given  me  by  my  mother,"  said  Keroecia, 
bringing  forward  a  slender  strip  of  bamboo,  not- 
much  larger  than  a  darning-needle,  lightly  weighted 
with  pellets  of  clay. 

It  had  a  jeweled  handle  and  a  wheel  of  hardwood, 
polished  and  set  with  mother-of-pearl.  A  tiny  shell 
served  for  a  socket,  should  the  weight  of  the  spindle 
prove  too  heavy  for  the  gossamer  threads  used. 

"  Wilt  thou  spin?  "  asked  her  companion,  placing 
a  seat  for  her. 

With  girlish  eagerness  and  gratified  pride,  Ke 
roecia  sat  down  so  intent  upon  a  display  of  dexterity 
and  skill  that  she  was  unconscious  of  the  fact  that 
her  soft  clinging  skirts  were  tightly  drawn  over  one 
leg  the  entire  length,  and  high  enough  to  reveal  the 
ankle  and  instep  to  good  advantage.  With  the  other 


250  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

foot  she  set  the  treadle  going,  and  soon  her  shapely 
arms  were  following  the  flying  shuttle.  The  well- 
poised  head,  the  long,  slender  throat,  and  the  regular 
rise  and  fall  of  a  perfect  bosom  helped  to  complete 
the  poetry  of  her  motions,  and  Yermah  feasted  his 
eyes  while  she  worked. 

Glancing  upward  by  chance,  Keroecia  caught  the 
expression  of  his  face,  but  was  by  no  means  displeased 
because  she  saw  desire  mirrored  there. 

Who  can  resist  the  intoxication  of  the  senses  ?  — 
especially  their  instinctive  pledge,  which  does  not  rise 
to  the  mental  plane,  but  is  merely  a  matter  of  exqui 
site  feeling  on  both  sides. 

In  his  agitation,  Yermah  busied  himself  clumsily 
with  the  spider-web  threads,  and  soon  had  them  hope 
lessly  entangled.  He  was  so  genuinely  distressed 
when  they  broke  that  his  companion  hastily  put  the 
wheel  away  and  substituted  an  instrument  like  the 
zither,  only  much  larger,  played  with  thimbles  of 
tortoise-shell  fastened  to  the  fingers. 

Keroecia  sang  a  plaintive  love-song  to  her  own 
accompaniment.  When  she  had  finished,  Yermah 
sat  down  beside  her  and  slipped  his  arm  around  her 
waist. 

"  Something  in  thy  song  makes  me  sad.  Tell  me 
again  that  thou  wilt  be  happy  as  my  wife." 

She  patted  his  cheek  tenderly  and  gave  the  as 
surance. 

"  And  wilt  thou  pray  that  children  may  bless  and 
sweeten  our  lives  together?  " 

Kneeling  beside  him,  she  promised.  Seeing  that 
he  was  still  in  a  serious  mood,  she  said  soothingly: 

"  Let  not  ungentle  doubt  knit  thy  brow.     For  all 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  251 

time,  and  for  all  eternity,  I  give  myself  to  thee  ab 
solutely  and  without  reserve." 

"  And  I  bind  my  soul  to  cherish  and  love  thee  al 
ways.  Thou  art  a  jewel  imbedded  in  my  very  heart's 
core.  Hast  thou  a  wish  in  my  power  to  grant?  " 

She  stroked  his  temples  gently  for  a  moment,  and 
then  said: 

"  Thou  art  both  skilled  and  learned,  and  I  delight 
in  thy  achievements.  Hast  thou  shown  all  thy  qual 
ity?  Thou  art  as  modest  as  a  violet,  but  thou  hast 
said  that  thou  wilt  do  much  to  please  me.  Make  me 
to  know  thy  handiwork,  and  it  shall  be  to  me  above 
rubies." 

It  was  such  artless  flattery  that  Yermah  promised 
with  swelling  pride  and  an  inward  conviction  that  his 
every  thought  and  wish  would  find  a  quick  response 
and  ready  sympathy  in  her  companionship. 

After  this  they  talked  but  little,  much  of  their  time 
being  spent  in  the  strange  silent  awe  of  perfect  love. 

With  a  pretty  show  of  confidence  which  thrilled 
Yermah,  Keroecia  lifted  his  disengaged  hand  and  car 
ried  it  to  its  fellow,  which  was  yet  about  her  waist, 
and  of  her  own  accord  added  slightly  to  the  pressure. 
Baffled  by  the  subtle  change  of  expression  which  ac 
companied  this  movement,  Yermah  asked  quickly: 

"  What  is  it,  loved  one?  " 

"  I  feel  securely  sheltered  from  all  the  world,"  she 
said,  "  when  thy  strong  arms  enfold  me.  I  wonder 
if  thou  canst  realize  what  a  complete  haven  I  feel 
that  I  have  in  thee?  " 

"  Not  more  than  I  find  in  thy  sweet  mind,  thy  pure 
soul,  and  thy  warm  heart,"  he  answered,  as  he  kissed 
her 'forehead,  eyes  and  lips. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


He  had  taken  her  fully  into  his  protecting  care. 
She  leaned  on  him  without  restraint  and  suffered  her 
eyelids  to  droop  for  a  moment.  Gradually  both  of 
them  yielded  to  a  sense  of  weariness  —  a  reaction  in 
evitable  from  the  tension  of  the  previous  days. 

Drowsiness  came  on  apace,  but  sleep  claimed  Yer- 
mah  an  instant  only.  With  a  tenderness  akin  to  holi 
ness,  he  occupied  himself  with  Keroecia's  comfort. 
He  was  completely  subdued  by  her  helplessness,  and 
she  was  in  every  sense  sacred  to  him. 

"  She  trusts  me,"  he  whispered  softly,  as  he  ob 
served  the  relaxation  of  her  pose. 

In  his  gentleness  and  solicitude,  there  was  that  in 
cipient  quality  indicated  which  would  make  him  a 
kind  and  indulgent  father. 

She  was  to  him  still  such  a  wonderful  being  that  he 
was  intensely  interested  in  her  personality.  Curious 
as  a  boy  with  a  new  toy,  he  longed  to  arouse  her, 
yet  hesitated  to  do  so.  He  felt  diffident  about 
touching  her.  Before  he  could  decide  what  to  do, 
she  had  opened  her  eyes  with  a  start. 

"  Beloved,  I  thought  thou  hadst  left  me,"  she 
murmured,  only  half-awake. 

"  No.  I  am  still  beside  thee.  We  have  both 
been  in  dreamland,  but  thou  art  more  laggard  than 
I." 

"  I  am  much  refreshed,"  she  said,  apologetically. 
"  Thou  wilt  pardon  my  neglect?  " 
.     "  I,  too,  am  renewed,"  he  answered,  stroking  her 
hair  affectionately. 

******* 

"  Thou  wilt  not  forget  me  when  thou  art  engrossed 
with  affairs  of  state?  "  she  asked  wistfully,  as  they 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  253 

stood  together  in  the  twilight  taking  leave  of  each 
other. 

He  was  to  go  away  at  daybreak  the  following 
morning,  and  she  elung  to  him  in  longing  farewell. 

"  Remember  this,"  he  answered,  taking  her  face  in 
his  hands,  and  looking  deep  into  her  eyes :  "  Nothing 
can  for  one  moment  blot  out  thy  dear  image.  The 
first  thought  of  the  day,  the  last  thought  of  the  night 
is  of  thee." 

"  Thou  art  my  whole  desire  and  inspiration. 
Memory  serves  thee  faithfully.  May  the  energy  of 
the  cosmos  conserve  thy  strength  of  purpose,  thy 
health  and  happiness,"  was  Keroecia's  reply. 

"  To  Him  who  was  in  the  beginning,  and  shall  en 
dure  to  the  end  without  mutation  or  change,  I  com 
mend  my  sweet  love.  May  angels  of  content  hover 
over  thee,  Keroecia,  my  treasure !  " 

A  tender,  lingering  embrace,  a  shower  of  kisses  on 
eyelids  and  lips,  and  then  the  princess  stood  alone, 
straining  her  eyes  into  the  dark,  trying  to  retain  a 
glimpse  of  her  departing  lover. 


CHAPTER  SEVENTEEN 

THE    JEWEL    BOOK   AND    WHAT    CAME    OF    IT 

ON  the  way  home,  and  for  days  after  his  ar 
rival  at  Tlamco,  Yermah  thought  of  what 
he  should  do  to  please  Keroecia.      She  had 
said  that  she  wanted  to  know  of  all  his  handiwork 
and  achievements,  so  he  studied  out  a  plan  to  fulfill 
her  wishes. 

Being  a  master  in  metallurgy,  a  skillful  artificer, 
and  an  expert  diamond  lapidary,  he  decided  to  make 
her  a  tablet  of  stones,  which  should  be  a  book  of 
his  life,  confident  that  she  understood  the  language 
of  the  genii,  since  her  father's  court  copied  the  letters 
used  in  their  cuneiform  writing  from  the  arrow-head 
crystals  imprisoned  in  sapphires. 

Yermah's  belief  was  that  gold,  silver  and  the 
precious  stones  had  but  one  foundation  in  nature. 
They  were  simply  augmentative  thought,  purified 
and  perfected  through  the  operation  of  magnetic 
life.  This  power  was  invisible  and  unattainable 
under  ordinary  circumstances,  and  unknown  to  all 
except  the  alchemist. 

With  him  all  yellow  gems  and  gold  were  appro 
priate  to  wear  for  Sunday,  either  to  draw  down  pro 
pitious  influences  or  to  avert  antagonistic  effects. 

On  Monday,  pearls  and  white  stones  (not  dia 
monds)  were  worn,  because  this  is  the  day  of  the 
moon,  the  second  power  in  nature. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  255 

Tuesday,  the  day  of  Mars,  claimed  rubies  and  all 
crystallization  of  a  fiery  luster. 

Wednesday  was  the  day  of  the  turquoise,  sapphire 
and  all  species  of  stones  which  seem  to  reflect  the 
blue  vault  of  heaven,  and  to  imply  the  lucent  azure 
of  the  spiritual  atmosphere  where  the  sylphs  dwell 
—  those  elementals  who  are  always  striving  to  com 
municate  with  mortals,  because  they  desire  immor 
tality. 

Thursday  demanded  amethysts,  and  richly  colored 
stones  of  sanguine  tint,  because  the  day  is  correlated 
to  the  male  divine  sacrifice. 

Friday,  Venus's  day,  had  emeralds  and  reigned 
over  all  green  stones. 

On  Saturday,  diamonds,  signifying  the  great 
deep,  were  worn,  because  Saturn's  rule  is  death  to 
the  physical,  but  birth  to  the  spiritual  nature. 

"  The  first  effect  abides  as  long  as  the  thing  re 
mains,"  said  the  Dorado  to  Alcamayn,  as  they  exam 
ined  and  assorted  some  uncut  turquoises  brought  from 
the  mines  in  the  Cerrillos  Mountains,  in  New  Mexico, 
then  a  flournishing  Toltec  settlement. 

Opals  came  from  Zinapan,  pearls  from  La  Paz, 
emeralds  from  Peru,  and  diamonds  from  Brazil, 
while  the  rubies  had  been  lately  sent  from  Montana 
by  Orondo.  There  were  beautiful  sapphires  from 
the  Caucasus,  secured  by  barter  with  Keroecia's 
people. 

"  All  things  material  have  a  proper  form,"  an 
swered  Alcamayn,  "  and  are  subject  to  certain  con 
ditions.  Gems,  being  material,  derive  virtue  from 
a  specific  shape,  and  are  likewise  subject  to  the  influ 
ence  of  the  planets." 


256  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  I  require  four  stones  for  my  purpose,  and  will 
see  to  it  that  the  symbol  engraved  has  the  same  qual 
ity  as  the  stone  itself,  in  order  that  its  strength  may 
be  doubled,"  continued  Yermah. 

;<  To  be  efficacious,  this  book  must  be  made  by 
election,"  rejoined  Alcamayn.  "  Each  stone  must 
be  worked  at  the  hour  its  particular  planet's  position 
is  strongest.  This  will  prolong  the  good  aspect  for 
ever,  unless  the  stone  is  broken." 

"  The  sapphire  reflects  the  blue  of  heaven,  and  be 
longs  to  the  Bull,"  explained  Yermah,  critically  ex 
amining  some  polished  gems,  having  arrow-head 
crystals  standing  out  in  startling  distinctness  in  the 
prismatic  colors.  Sometimes  they  appeared  in 
clouds,  again  in  fields,  shifting  their  scenes  as  often 
as  he  changed  the  focus.  "  This  shall  be  placed  in  a 
square  of  gold." 

''  The  house  of  the  Twins  requires  an  agate,  which 
is  the  natal  stone  of  the  priestess  Keroecia,"  ob 
served  Alcamayn,  handing  the  Dorado  a  beautifully 
marked  moss-agate. 

"  Let  that  be  placed  in  the  gold  below  the  sapphire. 
The  emerald  pictures  the  depth  of  the  sea,  and  is  the 
delight  of  its  parent,  the  Light  Bringer.  It  shall  be 
in  the  third  place." 

"  The  first  gem  for  the  blue  square  is  a  topaz," 
said  Alcamayn,  "  which  rules  the  Lion,  thy  house  of 
nativity." 

"  This  pale  pink  coral,  with  its  delicate  leaf-work, 
shall  be  its  companion.  It  is  of  our  common  country, 
and  will  out-tongue  my  feeble  words  in  its  own  be 
half,"  the  Dorado  continued. 

"  Here  is  a  dewdrop  laden  with  sunbeams,"  said 
the  little  jeweler  enthusiastically,  as  he  opened  a 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  257 

square  of  maguey  fiber,  and  disclosed  a  first-water 
brilliant. 

"  Equilibrated  love  could  have  no  better  expo 
nent,"  assented  Yermah,  sharing  his  enthusiasm. 
"  The  bow  and  dart  are  here  at  rest  in  the  sign 
Libra,  where  the  Lord  of  Day  begins  his  journey 
through  the  nether  world.  This  sparkling  thing 
shall  find  rest  beside  the  coral  branch  fresh  from  the 
brine  of  Atlantis." 

"  The  scarlet  block  must  have  a  fiery  opal,  and 
I  have  here  an  exquisite  finding,  recently  brought 
from  the  Toltec  kingdom,"  exclaimed  the  jeweler. 

"  This  shall  typify  the  sting  of  the  scorpion,  which 
is  the  separation  forced  upon  us.  Its  changing  hues 
shall  be  to  her  a  sign  that  three  lunations  more  com 
plete  my  exile,  and  then  comes  joyous  union.  Put 
this  in  the  first  place,  and  with  it  a  turquoise  for 
the  present  time,  when  all  my  thought  is  of  thee," 
he  continued,  unmindful  of  Alcamayn's  presence. 
"  The  ruby  mirrors  my  imprisoned  soul,  which  awaits 
release  into  the  sunshine  of  thy  love." 

Alcamayn  was  looking  over  a  handful  of  garnets. 
Finally  he  found  a  suitable  one,  and  laid  it  at  the 
top  of  the  purple  square. 

"This  shall  be  the  opening  page,"  said  Yermah; 
"  and  I  will  so  cunningly  fashion  it  that  Keroecia 
shall  go  with  renewed  zest  from  one  chapter  to  an 
other.  When  she  has  my  whole  life  spread  out 
before  her,  I  shall  conceal  the  spring,  so  that  she 
may  not  close  it  again.  It  will  be  to  her  a  pledge 
of  constancy." 

"  I  like  not  this  amethyst,"  commented  Alcamayn, 
"  but  we  have  no  other  stone  large  enough." 

"  The  sign  of  the  fishes  is  well  represented  by  a 


258  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

pearl,"  rejoined  Yermah.  "  Hast  thou  black  and 
white  gems  sufficient  in  size?  " 

"  Here  is  one  of  each,  ovum-shaped  and  perfect. 
Thou  canst  fashion  the  fishes  of  the  amethyst  and  set 
the  two  pearls  between." 

"  A  square  of  jasper  gives  promise  of  fulfillment. 
As  the  verdant  earth  responds  to  the  warming  rays 
of  the  sun  newly  come  out  of  the  region  of  cold  and 
darkness,  so  man's  heart  is  warmed  into  life  by  love. 
Canst  thou  make  room  for  me  among  the  lapida 
ries?"  he  asked,  turning  to  Alcamayn  in  direct  ap 
peal.  "  I  desire  to  work  with  these  materials  my 
self." 

i(  Wilt  thou  grant  me  leave  to  make  thee  com 
fortable  here?  Thou  mayst  command  me  in  all 
things,"  said  Alcamayn,  proud  of  his  knowledge  of 
the  craft,  and  flattered  because  he  had  been  con 
sulted  in  a  matter  so  personal  and  delicate. 

They  were  in  the  treasure-room  of  laqua,  and  it 
was  not  long  before  Yermah  had  a  temporary  work 
shop  improvised  in  a  corner  where  he  had  a  good 
light,  but  was  screened  from  observation. 

In  addition  to  a  copper  wheel  and  the  necessary 
tools,  there  was  a  vessel  filled  with  a  carbonate  of  a 
brownish-green,  opaque  color,  porous  like  pumice, 
and  as  hard  as  a  diamond,  which  he  used  for  polish 
ing  and  cutting.  An  emery-wheel  and  a  ewer  of 
olive  oil  were  also  at  hand. 

The  Dorado  spent  a  portion  of  each  day  in  this 
work-shop,  and  while  employed  at  his  labors  of  love, 
he  either  hummed  or  whistled  the  plaintive  melody 
Keroecia  had  sung  for  him. 

The  gold  plates  which  Yermah  had  so  dexterously 
contrived  were  put  together  on  the  principle  of  a 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  259 

screen,  in  four  sections,  containing  three  stones  each, 
set  solid.  The  first  strip  was  of  purple  enamel,  the 
second  gold,  the  third  blue,  the  fourth  red.  At  the 
four  cardinal  points  were  squares  of  gold,  with  stone 
intaglios. 

When  folded,  the  east  and  west  formed  a  clasp, 
which  had  a  spring  concealed  on  the  reverse  side. 

As  soon  as  Keroecia  received  the  tablet  of  stones, 
she  dispatched  Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Alcyesta  to 
Tlamco  with  a  pair  of  golden  eagles  for  Yermah. 
These  birds  were  carefully  trained  in  falconry,  and 
were  highly  prized  because  of  their  sagacity,  courage 
and  skill.  She  also  sent  him  the  filmy  muslin  square 
with  its  broken  and  tangled  threads,  just  as  he  had 
left  it.  With  it  went  a  diamond  ring  set  with 
brilliants  all  the  way  around.  She  obeyed  the  re 
quest  accompanying  the  tablet,  and  did  not  open 
it  until  the  three  days  specified  had  elapsed,  being 
careful,  also,  to  observe  the  exact  time  named. 

It  was  Yermah's  first  attempt  at  telepathy;  but 
as  Keroecia  turned  the  key  in  the  elaborately  carved 
ivory  box,  she  felt  his  thought  distinctly.  She  spoke 
and  acted  as  if  he  were  actually  present. 

A  delicate  odor  of  jasmine  filled  the  room,  and 
Keroecia  was  so  eager  and  nervous  that  she  fumbled 
clumsily  with  the  neatly  rolled  maguey  fiber,  thin  and 
soft  as  a  spider's  web,  on  which  the  accompanying 
message  was  written. 

"  The  book  has  two  parts,"  said  Suravia,  when 
Kercecia  uncovered  a  thick  gold  wheel  having  de 
pressed  spokes  and  a  hub  which  acted  as  an  upright 
standard.  The  representation  was  perfect,  and  on 
what  corresponded  to  the  felloes  were  the  blossom 


260  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

and  leaf  of  the  siempra  viva  in  an  elaborately  chased 
design. 

"  How  thoughtful  and  delicate !  "  exclaimed 
Kercecia,  as  she  recognized  the  flower,  and  recalled 
the  occasion  of  its  choice. 

"  Press  the  spring  in  the  clasp,  and  then  my  life 
is  before  thee  as  an  open  book,"  she  read,  looking 
at  the  three  uppermost  stones  in  the  closed  tablet. 

"  This  is  the  language  of  the  genii !  "  she  cried, 
"  and  has  a  pearl,  an  amethyst,  and  a  garnet." 

"  Which  means  modesty,  sincerity  and  constancy," 
declared  Mineola,  who  was  of  the  party. 

"  Sincerity  of  speech  and  freedom  from  slanderous 
thoughts,"  continued  Keroecia.  "  Wisdom,  cour 
age,  patience,  and  the  power  to  keep  those  who  serve 
loyal.  Fidelity  in  every  engagement — " 

"  Where  seest  thou  this?  "  asked  Suravia,  looking 
intently,  but  unable  to  distinguish  so  much. 

"  I  know  not,"  answered  Keroecia.  "  The  divine 
gift  of  song  is  also  here,  with  a  low  sweet  voice  and 
love  of  home  for  my  portion." 

"  Seest  thou  this  flying  eagle  with  an  arrow  in  its 
claws?"  asked  Mineola,  pointing  to  the  green  jade 
intaglio,  on  a  square  at  the  top. 

"  His  thought  is  always  of  me,"  murmured 
Keroecia.  "  See  how  perfect  the  polish  and  how 
exquisite  the  cutting." 

"  The  bottom  has  a  black  onyx  square  with  an 
altar  and  fire,"  said  Suravia,  gazing  curiously  at  the 
opposite  end. 

"  This  will  keep  the  heart  cheerful  and  merry,  be 
cause  it  foretells  deathless  union  — " 

"  Be  merciful  to   our  curiosity,   by  touching  the 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  261 

spring  which  conceals  the  other  chapters,"  cried  both 
girls  in  a  breath. 

"  I  cannot  tell  why  —  but  I  feel  as  if  something 
were  going  to  happen.  How  strange  the  light  is !  " 

The  priestess  still  held  the  tablet  in  her  hand,  but 
went  to  the  window  and  looked  out.  "  Dost  thou 
not  think  a  storm  is  approaching?  " 

"  Let  us  put  back  the  curtains  which  keep  out  the 
light,"  said  Suravia,  suiting  the  action  to  the  word. 

"  Low-hanging  clouds  oppress  the  upper  air.  But 
this  is  nothing." 

"  Thou  hast  no  cause  for  apprehension,"  said 
Mineola,  kindly.  "  Thou  hast  all  the  world  to 
make  thee  content." 

Thus  gently  urged,  Keroecia  came  back  to  the 
table,  accidentally  setting  the  gold  wheel  in  motion  as 
she  approached. 

"  Dost  thou  notice  that  the  square  indentations  in, 
the  inner  circle  of  the  wheel  are  the  same  size  as  the 
top  and  bottom?"  asked  Suravia,  intent  on  her  dis 
covery. 

"  And  dost  thou  see  that  the  clasps  are  the  same 
size?"  asked  Alcyesta,  whose  quick  eye  had  already 
noted  the  resemblance. 

Keroecia  was  still  pale  and  unaccountably  agitated. 
Finally  she  said,  with  her  thumb  on  the  spring : 

"  I  am  face  to  face  with  Fate!  But  —  Yermah 
loves  me,  so  why  should  I  fear?  " 

She  pressed  the  spring  and  the  screen  spread  out 
instantly.  In  the  center  was  a  slip  of  parchment, 
on  which  was  written :  "  When  once  my  heart  opens 
unto  thy  loving  touch,  never  again  canst  thou  close 
it." 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


Woman-like,  they  all  exclaimed  at  once,  and  were 
in  a  flutter  of  excitement  over  the  beauty  of  work 
manship,  the  flight  of  fancy,  and  the  loving  senti 
ments  expressed  in  this  novel  fashion. 

"  Did  I  not  tell  thee  the  squares  would  fit  into  the 
wheel?"  demanded  Suravia,  when  she  finally  man 
aged  to  make  herself  heard. 

"  Let  us  try  it,"  said  Kercecia.  "  Thou  art 
right.  It  fits  perfectly.  The  tablet  is  square,  but 
the  wheel  is  circular,  which  is  in  itself  a  great  mys 
tery  with  the  Azes." 

The  priestess  blushed  scarlet  as  she  realized  that 
she  had  betrayed  her  study  of  Yermah's  religion. 

"  Tell  us  about  it,"  demanded  both  auditors, 
eagerly. 

"  To  circle  the  square,  means  to  find  the  perfect 
way  of  living,"  she  answered. 

"  And  he  means  to  say  that  his  life  with  thee  will 
be  perfect?  He  is  the  square,  thou  art  the  circle?  " 

"  It  were  more  worthily  put  the  other  way,"  an 
swered  Keroecia,  touched  by  his  tenderness  and  devo 
tion. 

"  See  the  clasps,"  said  Mineola.  "  At  the  eastern 
point  is  a  man's  figure  with  a  bull's  head,  holding  a 
spear  over  his  left  shoulder,  from  which  hangs  a 
hare." 

"  What  a  quaint,  odd  symbol  of  himself  !  "  said 
Keroecia,  smiling. 

"  Placed  opposite  the  balances,  it  will  keep  his  be 
loved  in  health  and  preserve  her  from  despair,"  said 
Suravia. 

"  Why  sayest  thou  balances?  "  asked  Keroecia. 

"  Dost  thou  not  see  that  the  stones  corresponded  to 
the  zodiac?  The  diamond  blazes  like  the  sun  in  a 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  263 

clear  sky,"  answered  Suravia,  pointing  to  the  blue 
square. 

"  I  have  only  eyes  for  this  beautiful  hyacinth  in 
the  opposite  clasp.  It  looks  as  if  smoke  were  rising 
from  it.  Now  it  glows  like  a  burning  coal,"  cried 
Mineola. 

"  Cut  deep  in  its  smooth  surface  is  a  woman  with 
her  arms  asunder,  like  a  cross,  and  having  a  triangle 
on  her  head,"  commented  Keroecia. 

"  The  stone  is  in  the  house  of  the  Lamb,  the  be 
ginning  and  renewal  time  of  Nature.  Therefore, 
art  thou  given  refreshing  sleep  and  quick  recovery 
from  fatigue,"  returned  Mineola. 

"  The  desire  and  thought  of  both  is  centered  on 
the  altar." 

Keroecia  was  speaking  to  herself,  and  lightly 
touching  the  blocks  with  their  intaglios  marking  the 
four  cardinal  points. 

"  Thou  art  right  in  adoring  him,"  declared 
Suravia,  enthusiastically.  "  In  the  first  block  of 
gold  is  a  sapphire,  meaning  that  the  language  of  this 
book  is  the  same  as  that  thy  childhood  knew;  and  the 
agate  below  it  is  thy  birth-stone." 

"  The  emerald  underneath  both  has  a  perfectly 
straight  and  smooth  surface;  so  there  shall  be  no 
darkening  shadows  thrown  over  thee,"  said  Mineola. 

"  The  topaz  and  coral  in  the  next  block  pertain 
to  thy  future  home;  and  the  diamond  placed  under 
them  symbolizes  the  water  which  surrounds  it," 
read  Suravia. 

"  It  will  also  be  thy  home  —  and  thine  too, 
Mineola.  I  cannot  be  happy  parted  from  thee." 

Each  one  of  the  girls  affectionately  embraced  and 
kissed  her  in  turn. 


264  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  The  ruby  contains  an  imprisoned  soul,"  said 
Mineola,  looking  again  at  the  tablet.  "  There  is  a 
perfect  asterisk  in  the  center.  How  tender!  How 
beautiful !  How  sweet  is  the  language  of  love !  He 
intends  to  say  that  his  heart  awaits  the  freeing  touch 
of  thy  devotion  to  release  it  from  apathy,  and  warm 
it  into  life.  Thou  art  indeed  blest  and  fortunate." 

"  Thou  shalt  not  read  backward,"  declared 
Suravia.  "  The  first  stone  in  the  red  ground  is  an 
opal.  It  must  bring  a  precious  message,  since  it  is 
the  only  gem  which  man  cannot  imitate." 

"  It  has  a  changeable  character,  and  is  in  a  moving 
sign  — ." 

A  piercing  scream  from  Keroecia  startled  them, 
and  before  either  companion  could  prevent  it,  she 
fell  to  the  floor  in  a  deathlike  swoon.  Mineola  ran 
to  the  courtyard,  where  a  water  jar,  overgrown  with 
green  timothy,  swung  from  the  portico,  and  brought 
back  a  gourdful  of  ice-cold  water.  Suravia  knelt 
beside  Keroecia  and  sprinkled  her  face  liberally. 

"  Speak  to  thy  handmaiden,"  she  cried.  "  Speak, 
I  beseech  thee !  " 

In  their  excitement  they  did  not  notice  that  the 
room  was  suddenly  growing  dark,  and  that  the  cool, 
moist  air  had  become  close  and  stifling. 

"  Use  the  fan  gently,"  said  Suravia,  with  a  sharp, 
peremptory  ring  in  her  voice.  Mineola  made  no  an 
swer.  She  was  praying. 

Keroecia  recovered  her  senses  with  a  start.  She 
seemed  dazed  for  a  moment;  then  she  sat  bolt  up 
right,  gasping  for  breath  pitifully. 

"What  has  distressed  and  hurt  thee  so?"  asked 
Mineola  with  quivering  lips,  kneeling  beside  her 
and  offering  support. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  2G5 

The  sound  of  a  voice  seemed  to  recall  Keroecia's 
wandering  senses. 

"O  God!  Give  me  courage!"  was  her  ago 
nized  cry.  "  My  beloved  is  vowed  to  celibacy,  and  I 
must  die !  " 

"  What  sayest  thou  ?" 

"  Keroecia,  what  dost  thou  mean?  " 

"  Tell  us  fully,"  they  both  said  at  once. 

"  Didst  thou  not  see  ?  In  the  opal  —  It  was  so 
from  the  beginning!  O  Thou  Merciful  One,  take 
thy  wretched  servant !  What  have  I  done  ?  Shame 
everlasting  is  my  portion !  " 

"Why  did  he  not  tell  thee  of  his  vow?"  asked 
Suravia,  a  note  of  rising  indignation  in  her  voice. 

"How  could  he?  I  am  to  blame.  He  would 
not  humiliate  and  degrade  me  before  my  people." 

She  gave  way  to  a  paroxysm  of  heart-breaking 
grief,  while  Mineola,  weeping  in  sympathy,  sought 
to  console  her. 

Suravia  went  back  to  the  tablet.  The  opal  was 
entirely  opaque;  not  a  particle  of  its  fire  and  sparkle 
was  visible. 

"  I  will  see  what  the  other  stones  have  to  reveal. 
The  sensitive  turquoise,  the  forget-me-not  of  gems, 
lives  and  suffers  as  we  do.  It  has  the  power  of  re 
production,  and  by  its  employment  the  Dorado  in 
tended  to  express  a  hope  for  the  future.  But  this 
symbol  of  youth,  love  and  tenderness  seems  to  have 
shriveled  in  size,  and  has  turned  to  a  sickly  green. 
Beside  it  is  the  sympathetic  ruby  faded  to  a  pale 
coral.  Misfortune  — " 

A  sharp,  swaying,  rocking  movement,  sending  the 
windowpanes  to  the  ground  with  a  crash,  and  throw 
ing  the  women  against  each  other  violently,  blanched 


266  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

their  faces  and  caused  them  to  cling  together  for 
support.  A  deafening  explosion  followed,  and  then 
the  cry  of  her  panic-stricken  people  aroused  Ker- 
oecia. 

"  Run  for  thy  lives !  "  shouted  a  voice  in  the 
street.  "  The  mountains  are  smoking  and  spitting 
fire!  Quick!  quick!  quick!  Run!" 

They  barely  escaped  in  time  to  miss  the  falling 
walls.  In  the  streets  an  indescribable  scene  was  being 
enacted. 

What  is  now  known  as  Lassen  Peak  sent  up  a 
long  fiery  column,  and  the  earth  heaved  and  groaned 
under  the  exertion. 

Ashes,  smoke  and  lava  began  pouring  down  the 
sides  of  the  peak,  and  there  was  a  mad  rush  of  wild 
animals,  coming  to  man  in  their  mute  helplessness 
from  the  rocking  mountains  hemming  in  the  little 
valley. 

Suddenly  the  gloom  was  lighted  by  a  meteoric 
shower,  which  for  an  hour  made  the  heavens  blaze 
in  a  magnificent  electrical  display.  A  terrific  crash 
of  thunder  followed,  then  an  ominous  rumble,  ending 
in  a  long  groan  which  seemed  to  rend  the  bosom  of 
the  trembling  earth. 

Red-hot  stones  and  burning  cinders  fell  like  a 
storm  of  fire  upon  the  whole  surrounding  country. 
Land  surfaces  subsided  and  rose  again  like  immense 
chests  in  regular  and  lusty  breathing.  The  rubble 
walls  and  battlements  of  the  pavilion  fell  as  a  pack 
of  cards. 

A  second  shock  leveled  every  house,  and  brought 
trees  and  rocks  crashing  down  the  mountain  sides, 
dealing  death  and  destruction  everywhere.  The 
whole  artillery  of  the  heavens  was  in  action,  drown- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  267 

ing  the  feeble  cries  of  man,  dying  terror-stricken  in 
the  heaps  of  ruins. 

Lizards,  snakes,  rats,  mice,  and  moles  raced  madly 
in  every  direction,  while  timid  owls  and  other  birds 
flew  close  to  the  ground  and  screeched  in  their  fright 
and  bewilderment.  The  larger  animals  huddled 
close  together,  while  the  dogs  howled  dismally. 

A  little  handful  of  men  and  women,  surviving  the 
first  terrific  shocks,  attempted  to  escape  over  the  lower 
range  of  hills,  but,  to  their  horror,  a  yawning  gulf 
opened  at  their  feet. 

Moving  in  sinister  majesty  and  strangeness,  was 
a  bottomless  abyss,  impassable  in  width  and  several 
miles  long.  Before  their  very  eyes,  it  swallowed  up 
human  beings,  houses  and  forests,  grinding  and 
crushing  them  between  its  gigantic  jaws.  With  an 
other  terrific  wrench,  it  belched  them  up  again,  fol 
lowed  by  a  deluge  of  steam,  mud  and  hot  water. 

The  river  lying  below  Anokia  had  deserted  its 
natural  bed,  driven  before  the  avalanche  of  lava,  and 
the  sea  of  mud,  vapor,  gas,  black  smoke  and  effluvia 
showed  where  it  had  forever  disappeared  through  a 
crevice. 

A  thick  shower  of  ashes  filled  the  air.  The  earth 
undulated  and  quivered  for  a  few  seconds,  and  then 
a  tempest  of  lightning  and  hail  cleared  the  suffocating 
atmosphere. 

In  the  lurid  flashes  could  be  seen  the  oscillation 
forth  and  back  as  if  the  very  heart  of  Mount  Lassen 
were  being  torn  out.  Its  black  vomit,  streaked  with 
red,  trailed  like  a  snake  over  the  floor  of  the  valley, 
setting  fire  to  the  combustible  wreckage,  and  steal 
ing  up  the  base  of  the  peak  as  well. 

Keroecia  led  her  little  band  of  devoted  followers 


268  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

up  the  high  mountain  walling  in  the  western  side  of 
the  valley.  The  subterranean  rumblings  sounded  in 
her  ears  like  the  drum-beating  on  stumps  of  trees  or 
logs  done  by  the  wings  of  male  pheasants  when  they 
are  calling  to  their  females. 

"  I  hear  not  the  call  of  a  mate.  It  is  death  — 
and  thou  art  welcome !  "  she  said,  turning  a  pale  but 
composed  face  to  the  burning  heights. 

"  Thou  hast  heard  my  prayer !  "  she  continued, 
stretching  out  her  arms  in  supplication.  "  Thou 
hast  granted  me  the  purification  by  fire !  Thy  spirit 
laughs  and  licks  out  long  tongues  of  flame  straight 
from  thy  fiery  throat !  Thy  countenance  is  wreathed 
with  smiles,  for  me,  O  Death!  But  if  consistent 
with  thy  will,  spare  these  children  of  the  forest. 
They  share  not  my  humiliation,  degradation  and 
despair." 

A  hissing,  howling  hurricane  stormed  and  raged 
around  them.  With  a  convulsive  lurch  the  ground 
underneath  shivered,  and  finally  the  elevation  on 
which  they  stood  was  rent  in  twain  from  top  to 
bottom. 

One  half  collapsed  and  fell  in,  while  through  the 
kettle-shaped  opening  in  the  valley  swept  a  flood  of 
mud,  scoria  and  molten  lava,  which  completely  sub 
merged  the  burning  ruins.  The  rain  fell  in  a  solid 
sheet,  but  now  the  hot  air  and  steam  rising  from 
below  tortured  them  with  heat. 

Suddenly  a  dog,  maddened  with  terror,  leaped  into 
the  seething  cauldron,  and  its  cry  was  stifled  by  a 
sizzling,  crackling  sound,  as  the  poor  creature  was 
crisped  to  a  cinder. 

Those  who  clung  to  life  made  frantic  leaps  over 
the  frightful  precipice  to  the  other  side,  only  to  be 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  269 

dashed  to  pieces  in  the  valleys  below.  The  whole 
district  was  overwhelmed  with  lava  and  hot  water 
pouring  out  from  the  lesser  peaks  around  the  center 
of  activity.  Despite  the  gales  of  wind  and  the  heavy 
downpour,  sulphur  and  other  noxious  gases  per 
meated  the  upper  air,  so  that  long  before  the  lava 
crept  up  and  ingulfed  them,  death  by  suffocation 
overtook  the  wretched  remnant. 

In  their  extremity  the  people  obeyed  Keroecia  im 
plicitly,  and  many  touching  exhibitions  of  heroism 
marked  their  last  moments.  They  huddled  together 
at  the  root  of  a  sequoia  gigantea,  newly  wrenched 
out  of  the  ground.  Nor  did  they  refuse  shelter  to 
a  grizzly  bear,  a  mountain  lion,  some  wolves,  some 
wild  sheep,  a  colony  of  snakes,  nor  the  birds  hover 
ing  in  the  air,  screeching  in  abject  terror  or  stupefied 
beyond  resistance. 

The  twisting,  crackling  swish  of  the  trees,  the 
thundering  clatter  of  the  rocks  shaken  loose,  and 
bounding  downward  with  prodigious  velocity,  passed 
unnoticed  by  the  martyrs  looking  at  death,  calmed 
and  awed  by  the  terribly  destructive  fury  of  animated 
nature. 

Keroecia  gathered  Suravia  and  Mineola  in  her 
arms  protectingly,  and  waited  for  the  end.  Up  to 
the  very  last  she  sought  to  comfort  and  console  her 
companions,  so  worn  with  fatigue  and  excitement 
that  they  made  no  further  effort. 

Some  had  already  crossed  the  dark  waters;  others 
were  gasping  their  last,  when  death  touched  her  — 
and  she  slept. 

With  the  passing  of  her  spirit,  Keroecia  groaned  as 
she  remembered  how  she  sat  at  the  spindle,  and  of 
the  answering  look  she  then  gave  Yermah. 


270  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

To  the  everlasting  honor  and  glory  of  woman 
kind  be  it  said,  that  she  never  sinks  so  low  in  the 
moral  scale  as  to  be  indifferent  to  the  opinion  of  the 
man  she  loves.  Loss  of  his  respect  crushes  and  kills 
—  not  the  physical,  but  all  that  is  essentially  woman 
in  her  nature. 

Showered  with  affectionate  appreciation,  she 
reaches  her  highest  development;  for  love  is  as 
necessary  to  her  growth  as  is  sunshine  to  a  plant. 
Denied  it,  woman  can  at  best  but  droop  and  die. 

Since  learning  that  Yermah  was  not  free  to  espouse 
her,  Keroecia  was  appalled  and  overwhelmed  with 
the  knowledge  that  she  had  allowed  him  to  surprise 
her  secret  thoughts  —  to  guess  accurately  at  future 
possibilities. 

"  It  is  not  true,"  she  murmured.  "  Yermah,  my 
beloved,  think  not  that  I  have  the  heart  of  a  wanton ! 
Forgive  — " 

But  there  was  no  answering  voice  to  cry  out  in 
return  —  no  one  to  assure  the  breaking  heart  that 
her  love  was  a  priceless  treasure  —  no  one  to  make 
her  see  that  every  emotion  was  fully  appreciated  and 
understood.  So  the  sunshine  went  out  of  another 
life  when  the  breath  left  Kercecia's  body. 

******* 

Yermah  had  named  the  day  and  hour  when 
Keroecia  should  examine  the  tablet  of  stones,  to 
enable  him  to  put  himself  in  communication  with  her 
mentally.  For  three  days  he  kept  the  door  of  his 
private  sanctuary  closed;  but  at  the  hour  named  he 
knelt  before  the  shrine  and  fixed  his  mind  intently 
upon  Keroecia. 

He  smiled  softly  to  himself  as  he  realized  that  she 
had  opened  the  ivory  casket,  that  she  was  examining 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  271 

the  workmanship,  that  she  comprehended  the  signifi 
cance  of  the  square  within  the  circular  wheel. 

Now  she  has  touched  the  clasp,  and  her  eyes  are 
greedily  drinking  in  the  beauty  of  the  groupings 
while  her  senses  are  thrilled  with  their  message.  In 
his  rapture  he  goes  with  her,  step  by  step. 

"  She  is  pleased  with  the  coral-bound  island  of  my 
birth,"  he  murmured,  "  and  she  gets  some  idea  of 
her  future  home. —  Thou  art  right,  Mineola,  my  soul 
is  in  the  ruby.  I  have  laid  my  heart  bare.  Look 
long  and  earnestly,  Keroecia;  thou  art  welcome  to 
know  its  secret  places.  The  opal  will  tell  thee  how 
soon  release  comes.  Thou  must  not  be  frightened 
at  its  suddenness.  Three  more  lunations  separate 
us.  Then  to  Atlantis,  where  — " 

He  was  wrenched  violently  and  pitched  face  down 
ward  to  the  floor  by  the  sudden  impact  of  Kercecia's 
agonized  thought. 

"  Thou  art  mistaken !  "  he  cried  aloud.  "  The 
changing  character  of  the  opal  must  speak  to  thee. 
Thy  thought  dishonors  me,  for  I  love  thee  truly! 
The  vow  binds  me  not  for  all  time.  Look  again, 
beloved!" 

To  his  finely  attuned  senses  came  the  knowledge 
of  her  anguish  and  sorrow.  He  choked  and  smoth 
ered  under  it.  Mentally,  he  heard  her  piercing 
shriek. 

"  O  Unseen  Divinity!  Hear  and  be  gracious  to 
thy  distressed  servants !  "  he  supplicated,  rising  to  a 
kneeling  position.  "  O  Powers  of  Air !  Convey 
my  thoughts  clearly !  Make  her  to  see !  "  Some 
thing  of  the  horror  of  the  situation  flashed  over  him. 
"  O  Earth  yield  now  thy  hidden  treasure !  Give 
gold  in  abundance,  that  I  may  fly  to  her  side.  Re- 


272  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

lease  me,  O  Brotherhood!  I  will  not  be  longer 
bound—" 

Without  sensing  it,  Yermah  had  broken  the  spirit 
of  his  vow ! 

The  door  of  the  sanctuary  stood  open,  but  his  or 
dinary  faculties  were  dormant,  while  his  subjective 
consciousness  sought  to  penetrate  the  gloom  ingulfing 
Keroecia.  He  did  not  hear  approaching  footsteps, 
nor  did  his  wandering  senses  respond  when  a  light 
tap  sounded  on  the  door,  nor  did  he  see  the  face 
peering  in  at  him. 

"  He  kneels  before  Orion,"  said  Alcamayn  hur 
riedly,  as  Akaza  approached.  "  Thou  wilt  find  him 
distraught  already." 

"  Hasten  back  to  the  Observatory  and  have  the 
bells  tolled  to  quiet  the  alarm  showing  itself  among 
the  people,"  said  Akaza  in  dismissal.  "  Soon  the 
dread  visitation  will  be  upon  us,  and  it  were  gentle 
to  forewarn  them." 

Akaza  had  been  making  observations  night  and 
day  since  Yermah's  return  from  Anokia.  He  had 
said  little,  but  his  face  was  set  and  stern,  like  one 
in  deep  trouble.  He  made  a  peculiar  rat-tat!  on 
the  lintils  of  the  sanctuary  with  his  fingers,  which 
brought  Yermah  to  the  doorway. 

"  A  sign  of  great  portent  is  in  the  heavens,"  began 
Akaza,  after  a  mute  salutation.  "  When  the  sun 
is  passing  from  Libra  to  Capricorn  is  a  season  pro 
lific  in  visitations  from  outer  space.  The  fiery  mes 
sengers  come  near  the  sun  at  that  time.  Dost  thou 
remember  the  night  in  the  cave?  " 

"  Memory  serves  me  well,"  answered  Yermah, 
unable  to  concentrate  his  attention.  "  Is  the  visitant 
of  the  usual  complexion  and  order  ?  " 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  273 

"  It  is  a  burning  coal,  red  and  glowing.  Its  face 
is  like  a  double  crescent,  and  it  is  a  formidable  rival 
to  the  sun  in  size.  It  comes  retrograde  with  the 
constellation  Orion  rising.  Its  illuminated  hair 
floats  over  one  half  of  the  zenith,  and  is  not  quite  on 
a  straight  line  opposite  the  sun.  It  pulsates  as 
though  it  had  been  agitated  by  the  wind,  and  is 
curved  like  a  threatening  saber. 

"  To-day,  it  will  pass  through  the  plane  of  the 
earth's  orbit,  and  when  it  meets  the  influence  of  the 
new  moon,  it  will  be  in  sore  affliction  with  Venus. 
In  this  condition  it  comes  under  the  influence  of 
Mars.  It  will  then  disperse  that  planet's  cohesive 
strength  and  there  will  be  war  in  the  earth's  interior 
between  uncontrolled  water  and  fire. 

"  All  the  planets  in  our  system  afflict  and  oppose 
each  other  so  that  the  waters  of  the  sea  and  the  winds 
of  heaven  will  be  lashed  into  furious  activity." 

"What  means  this  sudden  clangor  of  bells?" 
asked  Yermah,  now  fully  aroused  to  the  commotion 
in  the  courtyard  outside. 

"  It  is  a  solemn  convocation  to  call  the  affrighted 
people  together  to  watch  and  pray,  while  the  sign 
hangs  suspended  behind  the  dying  sun,"  answered 
Akaza,  hurrying  after  him.  "  Many  times  of  late 
the  orb  of  day  has  gone  to  rest  in  a  bed  of  blood, 
but  to-night  the  red  glow  comes  from  another  quar 
ter.  The  scourge  is  upon  us,  Yermah,  and  the  hour 
of  thy  trial  is  at  hand." 


CHAPTER  EIGHTEEN 

YERMAH   BECOMES   ONE    OF   THE   WHITE    STAR 
BROTHERHOOD 

YERMAH  did  not  hear  him.  He  had 
caught  a  glimpse  of  the  comet  hanging 
low  over  the  Golden  Gate  —  a  double 
crescent  of  fire  joined  together.  Its  tail  bent  out 
over  Tlamco,  and  curved  downward  like  a  great 
broad-sword.  It  throbbed  and  panted  like  a  living 
thing,  sinister  and  awful,  as  Venus  twinkled  between 
its  two  horns,  an  evening  star  of  horrible  aspect. 

A  tremor,  ominous  and  indefinable,  seized  the  pop 
ulace,  hushed  and  awed  by  the  dreadful  apparition. 
It  was  a  premonition,  followed  instantly  by  a  low, 
rumbling  sound,  an  angry  roar  of  waters,  and  then 
the  earth  shook  under  them  like  a  leaf  in  the  wind. 
A  mad  rush  for  the  streets,  an  instinctive  huddling  to 
gether,  a  breathless  wait  for  a  second  impact ! 

A  heavy,  long  boom,  like  a  roll  of  distant  artillery, 
and  a  wave  mountain  high,  but  crested  in  the  center 
like  a  spine,  rose  up  between  them  and  the  Golden 
Gate,  and,  for  a  moment,  shut  out  from  view  the 
grinning,  mocking  comet. 

The  ground  surged  up  and  down  under  their  feet 
in  simultaneous  waves.  Trees  bent  over  and  touched 
their  tops  together,  houses  rocked  and  swayed,  and 
all  that  was  breakable  in  them  went  down  with  a 
crash. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  275 

Living  close  to  the  heart  of  Nature,  her  moods 
were  not  mysterious  to  these  people;  so,  they  waited 
for  the  third,  and  what  they  supposed  would  be  the 
final  shock.  It  came  with  such  terrible  force  that  the 
Observatory  tower  fell  in  a  cloud  of  blinding  dust, 
and  all  the  other  buildings  were  rent  or  cracked 
grievously,  but  were  not  over-thrown  simultaneously. 

A  thievish  wave  stole  in  silently,  and  embraced  the 
whole  city. 

The  stricken  people  looked  into  each  other's  faces 
with  dismay,  as  they  stood  waist-deep  in  water,  a 
nameless  fear  chilling  their  hearts.  The  water  re 
treated  precipitously,  while  lurid  streaks  and  tongues 
of  flame  lit  up  the  whole  eastern  heavens.  Shock 
after  shock  succeeded  each  other,  while  the  clouds 
lowered  heavy  and  sullen  close  overhead.  Brokenly, 
but  in  unison,  thousands  of  throats  lent  voice  to 
prayerful  entreaty : 

"  Wilt  thou  blot  us  out  forever,  O  Lord?  Is  this 
punishment  intended  not  for  our  reformation,  but  for 
our  total  destruction?  " 

One  impulse  seemed  to  move  the  entire  concourse ; 
and  as  if  Nature  heard,  she  answered  by  a  gust  of 
wind  and  a  downpour  of  rain. 

*  ****** 

Ben  Hu  Barabe,  Alcyesta  and  their  attendants  had 
a  mad  gallop  for  life.  They  were  within  an  hour's 
ride  of  Sacramento  River  when  they  saw  thin,  blue 
flames  suddenly  shoot  up  from  the  earth,  followed 
by  heavy  cannonading  of  the  internal  elements. 

In  the  cosmic  melee  they  were  tossed  forth  and 
back  like  a  shuttle  in  a  loom  —  so  violently  at  first 
that  the  horses  fell  to  their  knees  and  were  whirled  in 
opposite  directions.  In  terror  the  animals  tried  to 


276  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

lie  down  and  roll  over  with  their  burdens;  but  their 
riders  whipped  and  spurred  vigorously,  and  the  mad 
dened  creatures  ran  until  they  dropped  exhausted  on 
the  river  bank.  A  thick  shower  of  ashes  fell  over 
them,  and  the  air  was  like  a  blast  from  a  furnace. 
Behind  them  came  smoking  streaks  of  lava,  poured 
into  the  plain  by  a  row  of  flame-mantled  hills. 

Flocks  were  scampering  wildly  in  every  direction, 
and  the  scattered  herdsmen  were  taking  to  the  boats 
and  skiffs  tied  along  the  river  bank. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Alcyesta  climbed  into  the 
balsa  awaiting  them,  and  their  attendants  hastened 
with  them.  They  had  scarcely  pushed  out  into  mid 
stream,  when  the  very  bed  of  the  river  seemed  to  rise 
and  hurl  its  waters  forward.  Waves  rose  in  an 
undulating  wall  of  water,  breaking  the  banks  of  both 
sides,  sending  death  and  destruction  broadcast  over 
the  valley.  The  boats  were  carried  along  by  an  irre 
sistible  impulse  and  with  incredible  swiftness, 
straight  across  sinuous  windings  of  the  stream  on 
ward  toward  the  sea. 

Lightning  played  over  their  heads;  but  the  crash 
of  thunder,  the  explosions  of  the  volcanoes,  the 
mighty  heaves  and  groans  tearing  the  breast  of  the 
trembling  earth  were  lost  in  an  angry  roar  of  waters. 

A  canon-shot  would  not  have  sent  them  forward 
with  greater  impetus;  and  this  prevented  their  boats 
from  swamping,  despite  their  shipping  water  fright 
fully. 

The  shock  which  leveled  the  Observatory  tower 
shattered  all  the  windows  and  cracked  every  build 
ing  in  Tlamco,  letting  the  accumulated  waters 
through  what  is  now  Carquinez  Straits,  and  widened 
an  arm  of  the  sea  into  an  open  inlet. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  277 



The  impounded  water  inundated  the  surrounding 
country,  swept  over  the  intervening  islands,  and  spent 
itself  in  a  series  of  waves  mountain  high,  whose 
impact  disturbed  the  ocean's  surface  for  thousands  of 
miles,  after  severing  Lime  Point  from  the  peninsula 
and  plowing  out  the  famous  Golden  Gate  entrance  to 
the  bay.1 

One  of  the  most  violent  tremors  caught  the  little 
colony  of  boats,  which  by  a  miraculous  coincidence, 
were  thrown  together  in  the  trough  of  the  sea,  and 
tossed  them  ashore,  high  and  dry,  on  the  Berkeley 
hills. 

The  water  receded  so  rapidly  that  the  boats  stuck 
fast  in  the  debris  and  mud.  All  except  the  strongest 
one,  containing  Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Alcyesta,  were 
crushed  like  egg-shells. 

With  broken  arms  and  legs,  bruised  and  battered 
bodies,  scarred  almost  beyond  recognition,  the  little 
band  huddled  together,  reviving  each  other  when 
pain  brought  unconsciousness,  while  the  elements  over 
head  and  below  them  rioted  with  unabated  fury. 

The  morrow  brought  no  surcease,  except  that  the 
waters  subsided  and  took  on  something  of  their  nor 
mal  aspect.  The  earth  still  trembled  and  groaned, 
and  the  sun  was  so  completely  obscured  for  days 
after,  that  it  seemed  always  twilight. 

So  soon  does  the  mind  become  accustomed  to  dan 
ger  —  so  familiar  does  it  grow  with  death,  that  Ben 
Hu  Barabe  was  able  to  direct  his  men  how  to  reach 
the  back  waters  of  the  bay,  where  the  motion  was 
less  violent  and  marked. 

They  helped  each  other,  with  tears  and  gratitude, 
to  some  of  the  fruit  and  nuts  which  had  been  spared 
1  Indian  Legend. 


278  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

to  them.  Alcyesta's  left  arm  was  broken,  and  she 
could  scarcely  move  without  intolerable  pain;  but 
she  made  no  complaint  to  the  half-crazed  men  about 
her.  None  of  them  could  ever  tell  afterward  how 
they  contrived  to  reach  Tlamco. 

Heart-rending  scenes  greeted  them  everywhere, 
and  many  of  the  frenzied  inhabitants  rolled  con 
vulsively  upon  the  ground.  Others  accused  them 
selves  with  frantic  insistence  of  all  kinds  of  crime. 
Others  could  not  speak.  Some  were  helpless 
paralytics,  and  numbers  could  not  retain  food,  so 
terrible  was  the  reflex  action  on  the  nervous  system. 

The  mind  that  has  passed  through  such  a  calamity 
has  lost  its  tone.  Instead  of  being  braced  up,  as  by 
war,  the  earth's  epilepsy  makes  the  mental  fabric 
flabby,  and  paralyzes  by  a  hopeless  fear  from  which 
there  is  no  known  refuge.  The  fluttering  soul,  tying 
itself  to  matter  as  something  solid  and  enduring,  finds 
that  the  globe  itself  is  but  a  poor  shivering  thing, 
liable  to  be  taken  in  some  monster  demon's  clutch 
and  shaken  back  into  its  component  parts.  No  lan 
guage  can  adequately  express  the  stupendous  feeling 
of  instability  conveyed  by  the  idea  of  the  earth's 
possible  dissolution  and  dispersion. 


Yermah  sat  in  a  stupor,  and  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  he  could  be  aroused  when  Ben  Hu 
Barabe  came  to  speak  to  him.  He  was  completely 
worn  out  with  anxiety  and  exertion  on  behalf  of  his 
people.  At  first  the  Dorado  did  not  recognize  his 
visitor  in  the  semi-darkness.  When  he  finally  caught 
sight  of  the  ravaged  and  altered  face  before  him, 
he  went  almost  insane  with  grief.  He  had  hoped 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  279 

against  hope  to  the  very  last.  Now  he  knew  with 
out  a  word  that  his  worst  fears  were  realized. 

Six  weeks  later,  when  brain-fever  loosed  its  grip 
upon  him,  Akaza  found  Yermah  lying  face  down 
ward  at  the  door  of  the  Temple  of  Neptune.  He 
was  moaning  and  sobbing  piteously.  In  a  half- 
crazed  condition,  he  had  eluded  observation,  and 
started  out  to  find  his  foster-father,  but  had  fallen 
by  the  wayside,  overcome  by  sheer  bodily  weakness. 
Akaza  lifted  him  up,  and  hushed  him  as  he  would 
a  child. 

"  Thou  art  wrong  to  grieve  like  this,"  he  said 
gently  and  soothingly.  "  The  Father  in  the  Trinity 
is  the  Universal  Creator;  the  Son  is  man  himself. 
Therefore,  thou  art  in  essence  —  God,  since  thou  art 
in  possession  of  this  higher  principle  and  must  live." 

Yermah  was  like  a  maimed  lion  —  a  pathetic  and 
pitiable  object  —  as  he  lay  with  his  head  on  Akaza's 
shoulder,  while  his  pent-up  feelings  found  vent  in 
choking  sobs. 

"  Thou  art  weakening  thy  sacred  manhood  in 
yielding  thus  to  despair.  Thou  art  intrusted  with 
a  mission  for  all  peoples,  for  all  tongues,  and  for 
all  time.  Think,  my  son,  of  being  the  world's  ideal 
lover  through  all  the  eons  to  follow !  It  Is  a  blessed 
privilege!  Thou  hast  witnessed  a  demonstration  of 
the  destructive  majesty  of  cosmic  force.  Now  thou 
art  called  upon  to  obey  thine  individual  destiny. 
THOU  HAST  PERFORMED  THE  EIGHTH 
LABOR!" 

"  And  the  gold  for  the  temple?  "  questioned  Yer 
mah,  in  a  stricken  voice. 

"  It  was  alchemical  gold  thou  wert  sent  to  find. 
Thy  body  is  the  temple,  and  the  Perfect  Way  of 


280  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Life  is  the  magic  which  produces  alchemical  gold. 
Dost  thou  comprehend  the  occult  significance  of 
Osiris,  with  a  crook  in  one  hand  and  a  flail  in  the 
other?" 

"  No,"  answered  the  Dorado,  more  calmly. 
"  Come  into  the  temple  and  I  shall  tell  thee." 

When  Yermah  followed  him,  he  continued: 

"  The  crook  is  the  attraction  to  the  earth,  and  the 
flail  is  the  repulsion  from  it.  Man  oscillates  con 
tinually  between  the  masculine  and  the  feminine 
qualities  of  his  nature.  When  Osiris  says,  '  Let  the 
heart  be  given  back  to  the  deceased '  *  after  it  has 
been  put  into  an  urn  and  weighed  in  the  balance 
against  the  image  of  Truth,  we  are  to  understand 
that  the  candidate  is  no  longer  swayed  by  his  emo 
tions  and  appetites.  He  is  self-centered.  Sorrow 
will  lift  her  pall,  and  thou  wilt  stand  face  to  face 
with  Truth." 

Akaza  drew  from  his  bosom  a  heavy  serpent  ring 
of  silver  with  a  rare  green  jade  setting.  It  had  a 
turquoise  with  diamond  eyes  cut  intaglio. 

"  This  means  Silence,"  said  the  old  man,  as  he 
took  Yermah's  right  hand,  and  slipped  the  ring  on 
the  little  finger.  "  It  is  the  signet  of  the  Brother 
hood,  and  thou  must  sacredly  guard  the  divine  wis 
dom  imparted  to  thee. 

"  Thou  wilt  be  sorely  tried  in  the  future ;  but  I, 
who  am  responsible  for  thy  soul's  welfare,  give  thee 
this  sign  manual  of  the  King  Initiate." 

Yermah  knelt  before  him,  and  was  anointed  on 
crown,  forehead  and  breast  with  perfumed  oil. 

"  Rise  and  receive  the  Sacred  Word.  It  is 
*  Aision,'  which  is  Truth.  Seen  in  the  distance,  this 

iFrom  the  Egyptian  Book  of  the  Dead. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  281 

quality  is  personated  as  stern,  harsh,  forbidding; 
but,  when  we  approach  near  enough  to  distinguish 
the  lineaments  of  its  countenance,  it  contains  all  that 
is  gracious,  benignant  and  inspiring.  The  Spirit  of 
Truth  dwells  within  the  sanctuary  of  the  heart." 

Akaza  then  put  his  hands  together,  with  the  fin 
gers  closed  and  bent  so  as  to  form  an  acute  angle. 
With  the  tip  of  his  fingers  pointed,  he  touched  Yer- 
mah's  forehead,  and  said: 

"  Let  there  be  no  complaint." 

The  joining  of  the  right  and  left  hand  sig 
nified  the  union  of  the  masculine  and  the  feminine 
principles,  and  of  spirit  and  matter. 

It  represented  the  pyramid,  the  cone,  the  center, 
the  heart,  the  ten  Sephiroth  proceeding  from  the 
One;  the  naught  of  the  ten  numerals  in  the  tenfold 
ratio. 

"  And  I  am  commanded  to  get  rid  of  the  wry-ness, 
as  a  giant  weed  whose  roots  lie  deep  in  the  human 
heart?  "  said  Yermah,  slowly. 

"  Remember  always,"  responded  Akaza,  glad  to 
see  that  Yermah's  mind  was  for  the  moment  nor 
mal,  "  that  the  true  self  of  man  is  God.  Look 
for  it  in  thy  fellows;  find  it  and  hold  fast  to  it  in 
thyself.  Thou  must  ponder  these  things  well.  I 
can  tell  thee  what  I  have  experienced  and  known; 
but  thou  wouldst  only  have  my  word  for  it. 

"A  river  cannot  rise  higher  than  its  source;  so, 
therefore  no  man  ever  sees  beyond  the  reflection  of 
himself.  First,  sense  the  truth  intuitively;  then 
mayst  thou  examine  it  at  leisure  with  thine  intellect. 

"  To  break  the  law  is  identical  with  breaking  the 
God  within  thee.  Now  that  thou  art  one  of  us, 
bear  in  mind  that  our  Brotherhood  can  only  instruct. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


We  cannot  give  real  knowledge.  Experience  must 
do  that  for  thee." 

"  Experience!  thou  art  a  cruel  monster!  Because 
of  thee  am  I  deprived  of  my  sweet  love,"  said 
Yermah,  giving  way  to  an  outburst  of  grief. 

"  What  sayst  thou?     Look!  " 

Yermah  raised  his  head  and  gazed  with  streaming 
eyes  at  an  apparition  of  Keroecia,  as  he  had  last  seen 
her  in  life,  standing  in  the  eastern  entrance. 

"  She  smiles  and  beckons  me  !  "  he  said,  in  an 
awe-struck  whisper.  "  Oh  !  my  soul,  why  hast  thou 
forsaken  me?  Why  should  death  touch  thee,  if  I 
must  live?  " 

"  Death  claimed  nothing  but  the  physical  body," 
said  Akaza,  softly.  "  She  feels  not  its  loss.  Look 
at  her  serene  countenance.  Wouldst  thou  spare  her 
pain?" 

Yermah  cast  a  reproachful  glance  at  Akaza. 

"  Canst  thou  ask  the  question?  " 

"  Then  master  and  control  thy  feeling.  She  can 
only  manifest  by  absorbing  thy  magnetism.  If  thou 
wouldst  see  her  at  will,  thou  must  give  of  thy 
strength  freely." 

"  And  she  does  not  know  that  she  is  out  of  the 
body?"  asked  Yermah,  eagerly. 

"  No.  She  never  will,  unless  thy  indulgence  in 
grief  plunges  her  into  the  vortex  of  pain,  which  is 
now  thy  portion." 

"  By  all  that  I  hold  sacred  —  by  all  I  love,  hope 
and  fear,  she  never  shall!  "  exclaimed  Yermah, 
rising. 

On  his  face  was  the  uplifting  and  exaltation  of  a 
saint. 

"  O  Keroecia  !     Core  of  my  heart  !     I  am  ready 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  283 

for  thy  spirit  to  flutter  over  me !  Never  can  I  be 
sad  with  the  knowledge  of  thy  sweet  presence." 

He  stood  in  rapt  attention,  communing  long  and 
silently  with  the  beatific  vision.  There  was  not  a 
trace  of  care  in  her  benign  expression.  She  had 
solved  the  mystery  and  knew  the  truth. 

For  such  love  there  is  neither  time  nor  death  nor 
space. 

Akaza  stole  away  in  the  dim  light,  murmuring 
softly : 

"  Although  a  separate  entity,  she  personates  the 
feminine  principle  dormant  in  himself.  This  is  what 
the  ideal  always  does.  Through  this  he  will 
learn  to  harmonize  desire  and  knowledge,  and  in 
time  he  will  see  that  the  grinding  out  of  animal 
propensities,  represented  by  the  ringed  planet,  has 
come  to  him  in  a  form  more  beautiful  than  a  poet's 
dream.  Keroecia  is  the  disillusionizer,  the  dweller 
on  the  threshold,  the  chastening  rod.  But  the  hand 
that  smites  will  also  bless  him."  x 

1  Later,  in  all  the  distorted  legends  of  Adam  Kadmon,  the 
cosmic  man, —  Woman  was  accused  of  causing  his  fall  through 
lustful  desire ;  and  what  was  originally  an  allegory  of  initiation, 
or  of  being  able  to  distinguish  between  the  true  and  the  false 
in  the  battle-ground  of  our  own  hearts,  has  been  perverted  into 
a  literal  interpretation  of  dread  consequence. 

This  false  idea  has  degraded  millions  of  men  and  women. 


CHAPTER  NINETEEN 

AKAZA  KEEPS    HIS   VOW  AND  IS   FINALLY   FREE 

AS  he  passed  out  of  the  temple,  Akaza  turned 
again  to  look  at  Yermah  whose   face  was 
illumined,     serene     and     calm.     With     his 
hands  clasped  before  him,  the  Dorado  stood  as  if 
in   a   dream,   taking  into  the   inner   recesses   of   his 
heart  the  comforting  assurance  of  immortality  and 
of  final  union  with  the  Divine,   in  which  Keroecia 
was  a  part. 

"Farewell,  beloved!"  said  the  old  man,  as  his 
eyes  filled.  "  Thou  hast  passed  the  Gates  of  Light, 
and  art  come  into  thine  own.  Amenti,  thou  un 
known,  receive  thy  son!  Amrah,  King  of  the  Bro 
therhood,  give  back  my  vow!  I  have  kept  the 
faith!" 

He  stood  with  bowed  figure,  and  seemed  to  be 
communing  with  the  Unseen.  Presently  he  lifted 
his  head,  and  the  crowning  white  hair  haloed  a  daz 
zling  countenance.  His  lips  were  parted  in  a 
pleased  expectancy. 

"  I  am  free  to  go  hence,"  he  said,  as  he  turned 
and  walked  out  with  renewed  vigor. 

Akaza  bent  his  steps  toward  Ingharep,  and  when 
he  reached  the  cave,  he  went  in  and  made  ready  for 
a  journey.  The  blurred,  reddened  and  obscure  sun 
shed  but  fitful  light  over  the  still  agitated  waters 
of  the  Pacific. 

284 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  285 

The  hierophant  went  out  on  the  rocks  jutting  into 
the  sea,  remnants  of  which  are  still  visible  below  the 
Cliff  House  of  to-day,  where  he  sat  gazing  long 
into  space.  When  his  strength  was  fully  regained, 
he  hailed  the  officer  on  watch  in  the  tower-house  of 
the  hill  overlooking  the  point,  and  was  soon  swal 
lowed  up  in  the  night. 

Crossing  the  bay,  he  came  upon  a  few  refugees 
from  the  far  north,  led  by  Cezardis,  who  cried 
childishly  when  he  encountered  for  the  first  time  in 
many  days  this  evidence  of  any  living  thing.  Run 
ning  toward  Akaza,  he  kissed  and  fondled  him  in 
his  excitement,  while  the  others  gave  every  evidence 
of  thankfulness  and  joy. 

"  Tell  me  all  that  has  befallen  thee,"  said  Akaza, 
holding  him  at  arm's  length. 

"  It  would  need  more  than  man's  allotted  time  to 
convey  all,"  answered  Cezardis.  "  Death  and  de 
struction  are  everywhere.  A  puny  chain  stands  be 
tween  the  main  land  of  the  lans  and  my  country. 
The  peak  next  the  shore  opposite,  and  over  which 
the  priestess  Keroecia  passed,  has  fallen  into  the  sea,1 
and  all  the  high  mountains  are  putting  forth  smoke, 
ashes  and  melted  rocks.  In  some  places  the  earth 
heaves  and  groans  continuously;  in  other  spots, 
water  pours  all  the  time;  while  hot  air  makes  man 
and  beast  labor  for  breath." 

"  Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Alcyesta  are  in  Tlamco," 
said  Akaza.  '  They  alone  of  all  the  Monbas  sur 
vived  the  visitation  of  the  fire-spirits." 

"  We  knew  as  much  from  the  terrible  rocking 
still  going  on  in  their  country.  The  water  has  de 
serted  the  rivers  everywhere,  and  is  making  new 

1  Aleutian  Island  chain. 


286  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

places  where  it  has  not  sunk  into  the  earth.  Didst 
thou  see  the  dread  messenger  in  the  heavens  near 
the  place  of  Venus?  " 

"  Yes;  and  it  will  soon  make  the  house  of  Mars, 
and  then  there  will  be  contention  in  Tlamco." 

"  How  fares  Yermah,  the  beloved  of  Keroecia?  " 

"  Thy  heart  will  be  wrung  by  sight  of  him.  Rea 
son  fled  for  many  days.  But  it  is  decreed  otherwise, 
and  he  will  soon  find  peace.  Farewell  1  I  go  to 
fulfill  an  obligation,"  said  Akaza,  embracing  the 
weary  travelers.  "  Commiseration  and  surcease  of 
care  be  thy  portion." 

"  May  the  Divine  bring  thee  speedily  on  thy  jour 
ney  !  "  they  said  with  one  accord.  "  We  will  pray 
the  Azes  to  afford  us  shelter." 

'  Thy  petition  will  be  quickly  answered.  Thou 
wilt  find  them  altered  and  distraught,  but  in  bodily 
health." 

They  crowded  into  the  boats  kept  on  the  Oakland 
shores  for  such  emergencies,  but  in  their  half-fam 
ished  condition  they  made  poor  headway  against  the 
choppy  sea. 

Akaza  went  back  over  much  of  the  same  ground 
traversed  in  visiting  the  Yo-Semite  Valley.  Where 
possible,  he  went  due  east,  facing  the  rising  place  of 
the  sun.  A  less  stout  heart  would  have  been  appalled 
by  the  devastation  and  ruin  all  around  him. 

The  rivers  in  many  places  had  been  lifted  out  of 
their  courses,  and  changed  about  in  an  almost  incom 
prehensible  manner.  Mountains  and  forests  no 
longer  afforded  shelter  to  the  huge  animals  of  that 
time. 

On  his  way  into  Calaveras  County,  Akaza  saw 
herds  of  mastodons  with  their  tongues  lolled  out,  in 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  281 

company  with  elephants  and  elk  huddled  together 
around  a  spring  of  fresh  water. 

He  encountered  many  a  fierce  grizzly  bear  so 
nearly  famished  as  to  be  unable  to  harm  him. 
Wolves  and  panthers  were  dead  and  dying  by  the 
hundreds,  and  the  rhinoceros  and  hippopotami  had 
great  raw  cracks  in  their  backs  because  of  the  ex 
treme  heat  and  the  dryness  of  the  atmosphere. 

No  tongue  can  picture  the  thrilling  and  inspiring 
condition  of  the  heavens.  The  mountain  peaks  con 
tinued  to  send  up  streams  of  hot  air,  which  ming 
ling  with  the  cool  breezes  from  the  sea,  brought 
about  gales  and  storms  of  incalculable  velocity,  with 
all  the  drying  capacity  of  a  furnace  blast.  The  upper 
air  was  an  amphitheater  of  gorgeous  electric  effects. 
Streaks  of  lightning  as  big  as  the  body  of  a  tree 
licked  out  their  long  tongues,  or  darted  with  deadly 
effect  among  the  ashes  and  smoke,  which  rolled  in 
and  out  over  the  crest  of  the  Sierras,  scattering  a 
sediment  broadcast  for  miles.  The  heavy  cannon 
ading  of  the  upper  strata  of  air  could  never  be  com 
pared  to  the  weak  peals  and  crashes  of  a  thunder 
storm,  and  yet  not  a  drop  of  water  fell  to  ease  the 
sufferings  of  the  creatures  who  still  lived. 

"  Yermah's  prayers  have  been  answered  literally," 
said  the  old  man,  as  he  trudged  along,  upheld  by 
some  hidden  force  —  carried  forward  by  an  indom 
itable  purpose.  "  The  gold  is  being  vaporized  and 
brought  to  the  surface  in  the  upheaved  quartz  and 
gravel.  It  has  tried  to  come  south  toward  him,  but 
it  cannot  escape  the  rigors  of  the  ice,  soon  to  overtop 
this  region." 

He  passed  close  to  the  great  "  mother  lode,"  and 
not  far  from  the  mysterious  "  blue  lead,"  the  wonder 


288  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

and  admiration  of  our  pioneer  days.  But  there  was 
no  detritus  then,  no  decomposed  quartz,  no  aurifer 
ous  gravel-beds. 

"  There  will  be  no  faults  in  these  veins,"  he  said, 
"  because  the  uplifting  is  simultaneous.  And  in 
aftertime  the  deposits  will  be  accessible  to  another 
race  of  men.  They  will  find  our  copper  mines,  but 
will  lose  the  secret  of  amalgamation.  The  first  over 
flow  of  mud  and  water  has  hardened  into  cement," 
he  continued,  examining  the  deposit  critically. 

"  It  is  indeed  time  I  were  here.  Rivers  of  ba 
saltic  lava  will  follow  this,  and  I  must  be  prepared. 
Four  successive  strata  will  pour  over  me,  and  still 
my  grinning  skull  will  be  preserved  to  confound  and 
astonish.  The  very  name  of  the  monastery,  Guata- 
vita,  the  Gate  of  Life,  will  incite  men  to  deeds  of 
blood.  But  thy  will  be  done!  I  thank  Thee  that 
Thou  hast  given  me  the  power  to  endure." 

Akaza  turned  to  the  east,  and  made  a  low  salaam, 
and  then  went  into  the  entrance,  now  covered  over 
and  known  as  the  Natural  Bridges  of  Calaveras 
County.  He  performed  ablutions  in  the  two  rock 
basins  still  sitting  under  the  stalactites  and  arches  of 
the  upper  bridge  and  then  passed  to  the  lower  en 
trance,  a  few  yards  away. 

On  the  east  is  a  high  mountain  which  for  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  is  supposed  to  contain  innumerable  caves. 
In  reality,  It  is  a  natural  rock  temple,  very  like  the 
Elephantine  Caves,  and  it  was  here  that  the  Ameri 
can  lodge  of  the  Brotherhood  kept  a  record  of  the 
entire  time  man  had  existed  on  the  earth. 

"  Twice  already  has  the  face  of  the  globe  changed 
by  fire,  and  twice  by  water,"  said  Akaza;  "  and  each 
time  has  a  new  race  been  born.  The  Aryan  comes 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  289 

into  leadership  by  the  joint  action  of  both  ele 
ments." 

The  hierophant  carried  a  little  copper  hammer, 
which  he  used  to  tap  the  various  squares  of  solid 
masonry  closing  the  entrance,  listening  each  time  a 
stone  was  struck.  Finally  a  peculiar  singing  noise 
reached  him,  and  he  reversed  the  hammer,  springing 
from  its  side  a  sharp,  dagger-like  point  of  hardened 
copper.  With  this  he  began  patiently  to  pick  the 
glaze  which  held  the  blocks  of  granite  in  place. 

He  worked  all  day  taking  out  the  exact  squares 
marked  on  a  curious  diagram  held  in  his  hand.  As 
night  fell,  he  found  himself  through  the  entrance, 
and  inside  the  temple  and  monastery. 

The  incomparable  odor  of  jasmine  greeted  him, 
and  a  light  flickered  in  the  distance. 

Akaza's  heart  stood  still. 

Here  for  a  hundred  years  no  intruding  footsteps 
had  entered!  The  man  who  lighted  the  perfumed 
lamp  was  long  since  in  spirit  life.  The  hierophant 
never  doubted  his  ability  to  accomplish  the  task  im 
posed  upon  him,  but  he  trembled  with  the  knowledge 
that  it  was  so  nearly  finished. 

" Refreshment  awaits  thee  on  the  right"  he  read 
from  an  inscription  on  the  wall. 

Following  the  direction  given,  he  found  an 
abundance  of  hulled  corn,  rice,  dried  fruits  and  nuts 
securely  sealed  in  earthen  jars,  and  there  was  also 
one  containing  garments  and  other  things. 

He  took  the  edibles  and  came  back  to  the  arched 
entrance,  where  he  lighted  a  fire,  and  prepared  a 
meal. 

"  The  elements  have  made  my  bath  ready,"  he 
said,  dipping  his  hand  into  one  of  the  larger  basins. 


290  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  The  water  is  warm,  and  I  am  not  insensible  to  its 
charms." 

When  he  came  out  of  it  he  clothed  himself  in 
spotless  linen,  embroidered  with  orange-colored  silk. 
Around  his  neck  was  a  collarette  of  diamonds  and 
black  onyx  set  in  gold,  from  which  hung  a  leaden 
medal  cast  in  the  sign  of  Saturn,  and  about  his  waist 
was  a  yellow  silk  girdle.  After  he  had  anointed  his 
hair  with  an  unguent,  he  gathered  some  cypress  and 
crowned  himself  with  it. 

He  was  careful  to  perform  every  rite  before  and 
after  eating,  and  as  a  sacrifice  to  fire  piled  up  copal 
in  one  of  the  small  basins,  and  ignited  it  by  the 
friction  of  two  hardwood  sticks.  While  it  burned 
he  smoked;  after  which  he  allowed  tired  nature  to 
drift  into  a  short  but  deep  sleep. 

Roused  by  an  extra  heavy  shock  of  earthquake, 
he  gathered  up  the  remnants  of  food,  his  discarded 
garments  and  prayer-rug,  and  threw  them  into  the 
burning  basin  piece  by  piece,  until  all  were  in  ashes. 

Wherever  possible,  the  firelight  cast  weird 
shadows  against  the  beautiful  stalactites  still  hang 
ing. 

These  novel  instruments  responded  in  sweetest 
melodies  to  Akaza's  magical  touch. 

The  hierophant  used  a  rod  made  from  a  perfectly 
straight  almond  branch,  just  before  the  tree  was  in 
blossom.  It  was  hollowed  and  filled  with  a  needle 
of  iron,  which  was  magnetized.  A  many-sided  prism 
cut  into  a  triangle  was  fastened  to  one  end,  with  a 
black  resin  figure  of  the  same  at  the  other.  In  the 
middle  of  the  rod,  which  was  the  length  of  the  arm, 
and  wrapped  in  silk,  were  two  rings  —  one  of  red 
copper,  the  other  of  zinc. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  291 

On  the  extremity  which  ended  in  the  resin  triangle, 
the  rod  was  gilded;  the  other  end  was  silvered  to 
the  central  rings.  On  the  copper  ring  was  a  mys 
tical  word,  and  another  also  on  the  one  made  of 
zinc.  This  rod  had  been  consecrated  by  the  last 
initiate  at  Guatavita,  and  had  not  been  seen  by  any 
one  since. 

The  sounds  evoked  grew  more  and  more  weird 
and  peculiar,  and  Akaza's  exertions  became  more  and 
more  violent,  until  he  dropped  exhausted  near  the 
basin,  where  only  a  few  sparks  smoldered. 

From  a  chamois  wallet  he  took  bits  of  assafcetida, 
alum,  and  sulphur,  and  threw  them  on  the  heated 
coals.  As  their  combined  fumes  permeated  the 
air,  he  touched  a  spring  in  the  side  of  one  of  the 
marble  basins,  and  a  thin,  smooth  slab  slipped 
out. 

Hastily  covering  it  with  a  chamois  skin,  he  pro 
duced  writing  materials  from  the  jar  which  had  con 
tained  the  robe  he  wore,  and  prepared  to  write.  He 
had  scarcely  seated  himself  on  an  overturned  stone 
before  he  was  entranced. 

"  Thy  Brother  in  Lassa,  on  the  Brahmaputra, 
sends  thee  greeting! 

"  All  save  the  high  regions  of  the  Himalayas, 
where  our  monastery  is  situated,  are  sorely  pressed 
by  raging  flood. 

"  The  heavens  have  opened.  The  plains  with 
their  chains  of  mountains,  rivers,  lakes  and  inland 
seas,  have  been  suddenly  heaved  up. 

"  Fire  lurks  in  the  hidden  depths,  and  the  beds  of 
the  sea  vibrate  and  tremble.  Its  waves  hide  islands 
and  continents  in  its  abysses. 

"  The  sun's  rays  drink  up  the  scattered  waters, 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


and  pour  them  down  again,  mingling  with  the  rivers 
and  the  ocean. 

"  They  cover  the  plains,  filling  the  valleys,  roaring 
around  the  fire  mountains,  hollowing  out  the  slopes, 
and  surging  up  to  their  summits.  In  it  are  swal 
lowed  flocks  and  pasturage,  forests  and  wild  beasts, 
fields  and  crops,  towns  and  hamlets,  with  myriads 
of  mortals." 

Akaza  held  the  rod  to  his  forehead,  and  sent  an 
answering  message,  detailing  fully  all  that  had  hap 
pened  here. 

"  Sign  and  seal  thy  parchment,  and  restore  to  its 
hidden  place.  The  spirit  of  fire  hovers  near  thee. 
Prepare  to  go  out  in  peace.  Thy  pilgrimage  is  at 
an  end. 

"  Thou  art  in  the  place  of  destruction,  and  Truth 
will  hide  her  face  there  until  thou  art  again  incarnate. 
May  thy  birth  into  light  be  speedy  and  joyful. 

"  Accept  the  love  of  thy  brother  and  servant, 

"  Kadmon  the  Patriarch." 

Akaza  put  the  manuscript  into  a  jar  and  sealed 
it,  and  with  infinite  pains  closed  the  steplike  opening 
through  which  he  had  entered  Gautavita.  Then, 
realizing  that  he  had  received  his  last  summons,  he 
laid  him  down  peacefully  to  sleep.1 

1  In  the  year  1866,  a  miner  found  Akaza's  skull,  while  sinking 
a  shaft  in  a  strata  of  gravel  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  feet 
below  the  surface.  It  was  in  a  beautiful  flat,  about  fifteen  miles 
north  of  Table  Mountain,  a  mass  of  basaltic  lava,  six  hundred 
feet  thick,  which  was  not  erupted  until  after  Akaza's  death. 

The  skull  no  longer  surmounted  that  last  nudity  of  man 
which  instinct  bids  us  conceal  in  the  Earth.  It  was  coated 
with  a  deposit  of  gravel  and  sand,  that  told  of  its  lying  in  a 
river  bed  while  mountains  were  worn  to  plains,  and  the  decom 
posed  quartz  and  loose  gravel  were  plowed  up  by  glacial  ero- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  293 

sion,  and  scattered  over  the  hillsides.  The  skull  was  broken 
in  its  strongest  part,  an  evidence  of  the  force  with  which  some 
torrent  had  dashed  it  against  bowlders  in  the  lapsing  centuries. 

Some  time  during  its  wanderings  in  the  river  beds,  or  while 
resting  on  the  banks,  a  snail  had  crawled  under  the  malar  bone 
and  died.  Its  shell  was  found  there,  and  no  such  species  of 
snail  has  been  known  since  the  volcanoes  ceased  pouring  lava 
over  California. 

The  skull 1  and  the  snail-shell  have  been  the  cause  of  great 
discussion  among  the  scientists  of  our  epoch:  Its  age  is  too 
great  to  agree  with  the  preconceived  idea  of  man's  existence. 

1  Calaveras  skull,  Smithsonian  Institution. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY 

THE  DORADO  FACED  UTTER  NEGATION  OF  SELF 

IN  returning  to  laqua  from  the  temple,  Yermah 
stopped  to  inspect  the  work  being  done  by  a 
company  of  warrior-priests  on  the  cracked  and 
broken  wall  surrounding  the  public  gardens.  These 
men  had  already  restored  the  aqueducts,  so  that 
danger  of  a  water  famine  no  longer  threatened 
Tlamco. 

The  still  terrified  populace  were  totally  incapable 
of  consecutive  action.  Not  one  of  them  doubted 
that  the  destructive  agencies  at  work  would  blot  them 
out.  All  of  the  secular  temples  were  crowded  con 
stantly,  and  the  voice  of  prayer  and  supplication  rose 
above  the  low  rumblings  still  going  on  in  the  earth. 

Death  played  sad  havoc  with  women  burdened 
with  motherhood,  and  the  priestesses  and  vestals  were 
overworked  in  their  efforts '  to  take  care  of  the 
motherless,  whose  pinched  and  frightened  faces 
peered  from  everywhere. 

The  people  were  too  stupefied  to  formulate  any 
definite  plans  for  themselves,  and  lived  in  hourly  ex 
pectation  of  a  final  summons. 

Military  discipline,  instituted  by  Akaza,  prevented 
frenzied  acts  of  self-destruction,  while  the  fleet  of 
balsas  found  it  necessary  to  protect  the  granaries  and 
stores. 

The  first  upheavals  produced  some  curious  phe- 
294 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  295 

nomena  in  the  honeycombed  hillsides  containing  the 
jars  and  baskets.  After  being  buried  for  a  quarter 
century,  many  of  the  former  were  thrown  up  on  the 
surface  with  such  force  as  to  break  and  scatter  their 
contents  hopelessly.  The  baskets  were  also  tossed 
and  rolled  about  in  a  surprising  manner. 

By  right  of  seniority,  Setos  assumed  command  of 
the  land  forces,  while  Hanabusa  cooperated  heartily 
from  the  sea. 

The  Observatory  tower  was  a  complete  wreck,  and 
there  was  no  way  of  predicting  changes  of  weather, 
the  knowledge  of  which  added  much  to  the  horror 
of  the  situation.  It  was  a  nameless,  undefined  dread 
—  a  something  they  could  not  determine,  which  ap 
palled  and  overwhelmed  even  the  stout-hearted. 

For  the  first  time  since  his  bereavement,  Yermah 
showed  an  interest  in  his  surroundings.  His  heart 
was  wrung  by  the  scenes  about  him,  but  it  was  no 
longer  a  self-centered  grief. 

"  Our  Dorado  is  beginning  to  share  the  woes  of 
his  fellows,"  said  one  of  the  bystanders  as  he  ap 
proached.  "  He  no  longer  walks  apart  speechless 
with  sorrow.  Let  us  greet  him  as  of  old." 

The  crowd  uncovered  and  shouted:  "Haille! 
Haille  !  Haille !  "  so  weak  and  feebly  that  the  sound 
seemed  to  die  in  their  throats.  Yermah  was  too 
much  moved  for  words,  but  he  made  a  pitiful  effort 
to  smile,  as  he  raised  his  hands  in  benediction  in  re 
turn. 

"  Peace  be  with  thee !  "  they  answered,  trying 
manfully  to  conceal  their  anxieties  and  fears. 

"  Yermah !  "  called  a  familiar  voice.  "  Give  thy 
servant  greeting." 


296  YERMAH,   THE  DORADO 

"  Orondo !     Brother  in  all  save  blood  — " 

The  Dorado  staggered  and  would  have  fallen  had 
not  Orondo  caught  and  embraced  him. 

"  Thy  hollow,  wasted  cheeks  and  thy  shrunken 
frame  pierce  my  heart  like  a  dagger !  "  cried  Orondo, 
while  the  tears  ran  unrestrained  down  his  weather- 
beaten  face.  "  Anxiety  and  fear  for  thee  urged  me 
here.  Speak !  —  Surely  thou  wilt  not  snap  the  slen 
der  thread !  "  he  continued,  alarmed  at  Yermah's 
silence.  He  held  the  Dorado  up,  searching  his  hag 
gard  countenance  anxiously. 

"  Long  have  I  stood  within  the  shadow,"  mur 
mured  Yermah  feebly,  struggling  to  overcome  great 
weakness.  "  The  body  refuses  to  support  the  spirit 
in  manifesting  joy  in  seeing  thee  —  Thy  pardon  — " 

"  No  need  of  words  'twixt  thee  and  me,"  answered 
Orondo. 

"  Thy  heart  is  like  a  crystal  spring,  and  I  know 
its  full  depths." 

Orondo's  strong  right  arm  upheld  the  Dorado, 
but  his  prompt,  soldier-like  habit  stood  him  in  good 
stead.  By  a  nod  he  beckoned  to  the  warrior-priests 
waiting,  to  bring  forward  a  palanquin,  which  they 
had  gone  into  the  temple  to  procure.  Gently  as  a 
woman  could  have  done,  he  seated  the  Dorado  and 
motioned  the  attendants  to  go  on. 

Yermah's  look  of  gratitude  made  his  strong  chin 
tremble,  and  brought  the  old  haunted  expression  back 
to  his  face.  A  cold,  clammy  perspiration  stood  out 
on  Yermah's  lips  and  brow  as  he  sank  back  utterly 
exhausted.  When  he  closed  his  eyes,  Orondo  said 
to  himself:  "He  will  never  be  paler  in  death. 
Poor  heart-broken  soul !  " 

Orondo  had  a  good  profile  view  as  he  trudged 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  297 

beside  the  chair.  He  observed  the  ravages  that  ill 
ness  of  body  and  mind  had  wrought,  and  wondered 
in  a  vague  sort  of  way  if  he  could  not  share  some  of 
his  own  vitality. 

Loyalty  forbade  direct  speech,  but  he  had  learned 
from  others  enough  to  understand  the  situation.  His 
owns  wounds  bled  anew,  but  they  were  rated  second 
in  comparison. 

"  Thy  master  has  need  of  sleep,"  he  said  to  the 
attendants  as  Yermah  was  carried  into  the  private 
apartments.  "  Should  solicitude  find  utterance,  tell 
him  that  I  am  waiting  his  pleasure  in  my  old  quar 
ters." 

Wandering  through  familiar  rooms,  he  was  able 
to  estimate  the  effect  of  constant  shaking  on  walls 
and  ceilings.  He  saw  many  evidences  of  their  being 
out  of  plumb. 

Despite  everything  Orondo  had  a  comfortable 
sense  of  being  at  home  again.  He  busied  himself 
unpacking  his  surveying  instruments,  and  looked  over 
a  pile  of  hieratic  picture-writings,  containing  reports 
on  the  mounds,  earthworks,  and  temples  he  had  been 
inspecting. 

Two  hours  later,  while  Orondo  was  still  absorbed 
in  the  work  a  tamane  came  and  asked  if  he  would 
receive  the  Dorado. 

"  Rather  entreat  thy  master  to  summon  me,"  re 
plied  Orondo.  "  Care  sits  heavily  upon  him,  and 
it  were  better  to  encourage  health  and  strength." 

Still  intent  upon  additions  to,  and  corrections  of, 
the  documents  in  hand,  Orondo  did  not  look  up  when 
he  heard  the  door  open  and  close. 

'  Thou   art  always  unselfish,"   declared  Yermah, 
coming  close  to  him;  "  but  thou  art  prohibited  from 


29$  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

inciting  me  to  shirk  duty.  Not  a  word  hast  thou 
spoken  of  thine  own  case.  Acquaint  me  with  all 
which  hath  befallen  thee." 

There  was  a  touch  of  his  old  self  in  tone  and 
gesture,  but  he  seated  himself  like  an  old  man. 

"  Wilt  thou  insist  on  a  detailed  account  of  my 
journey  hence  and  sojourn  in  the  great  valley?  " 

"  Leave  dry  circumstance  to  the  custodian  of 
archives.  But  tell  me  if  success  full  and  complete 
crowned  thy  efforts." 

"  The  mounds  and  the  earthworks  are  perfect  in 
location  and  design,  and  where  finished  are  of  en 
during  workmanship.  Only  a  few  temples  have  been 
erected;  but  when  the  flood  subsides,  work  will  go 
on  again  —  slowly  now,  because  of  depleted  num 
bers." 

"  Has  the  dread  scourge  touched  that  fair  land, 
too?" 

'  Yes ;  and  with  much  violence.  For  days  a  great 
double-headed  dragon  hung  directly  over  the  sun, 
as  if  it  would  fall  down  over  and  obscure  the  light. 
Its  long  body  flickered  with  every  current  of  air  and 
the  mountain  divide,  running  north  and  south  from 
ocean  to  ocean,  heaved  and  shook  responsive  to  it. 
This  went  on  for  many  days;  then  the  dragon  was 
seen  to  back  away  into  space;  but  it  went  very  slowly, 
as  if  the  sun  held  it  transfixed.  Clouds  and  dark 
ness  followed,  and  the  waters  lay  over  the  tops  of  the 
trees,  by  the  last  accounts." 

"  Thou  wert  not  eye-witness  ?  " 

"  Not  in  all  the  district.  My  labor  was  in  the 
south.  The  waters  did  not  oppress  me." 

"  Thou  art  newly  come  from  our  brethren  in 
Zuni  ?  Is  it  well  with  them  ?  " 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  299 

"  The  hotah  has  blown  steadily  one  whole  luna 
tion,  parching  the  surface  dry  as  a  desert.  Years  of 
patient  artifice  made  water  plentiful,  but  the  sources 
have  hidden  in  the  earth,  and  every  green  thing  is 
withered  and  dead.  Windows  fall  out  of  the  houses, 
doors  refuse  to  hang,  and  are  much  too  small  for 
the  openings.  Man  and  beast  suffer  frightfully. 
An  ashy  hue  overspreads  the  countenance.  The 
eyes,  lips  and  throats  become  parched  and  painful; 
then  the  only  hope  was  to  smear  themselves  with 
grease." 

"  And  wert  thou  obliged  to  treat  thy  body  so?  " 
asked  Yermah,  mindful  of  Orondo's  habit  of  exqui 
site  cleanliness. 

"  Yes ;  and  to  a  liberal  coating  of  olive  oil  do  I 
owe  my  life  doubly.  The  evil  omen  overhead 
warned  me  of  impending  danger  to  us  all,  and  my 
fealty  to  thee  made  me  hasten  homeward." 

In  answer  to  Yermah's  grateful  look,  he  con 
tinued  : 

u  Coming  through  the  narrow  pass  in  the  moun 
tains  lying  south,  I  went  always  ahead  of  the 
tamanes  to  spy  out  the  best  places.  One  morning 
I  found  myself  in  close  proximity  to  a  grizzly, 
ravenously  hungry.  I  had  neither  time  to  retreat 
nor  to  defend  myself  before  the  bear  was  upon  me. 
I  fell  flat  on  my  face,  and  lay  motionless  while  he 
smelt  me  all  over.  The  oil  both  puzzled  and  dis 
turbed  him,  for  he  made  off  into  the  woods  and  left 
me  to  win  back  courage  as  best  I  could." 

"  This  animal  eats  no  flesh  he  hath  not  killed," 
said  Yermah,  "  but  thou  art  fortunate  to  escape  a 
blow  from  its  powerful  paw,  or  a  crushing  squeeze." 

"  He  was  very  hungry ;  and  I  was  glad  to  be 


300  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

thoroughly  saturated  with  oil,  even  if  I  did  imagine 
it  was  rancid,"  observed  Orondo,  naively. 

For  the  first  time  in  many  days,  Yermah  laughed. 

"  Nevertheless,  thou  art  justly  called  the  fearless 
one,"  he  said. 

"  The  same  heat  and  distress  lies  everywhere  in 
the  south,  and  there  is  a  faint,  luminous  mist,  dry 
as  the  hotah  itself,  which  makes  the  sun  look  like 
blood.  It  desposits  whitish  particles  upon  every 
thing,  very  like  a  cottony  wood  fiber.  Near  the  sea 
it  disappears  although  the  dry  wind  prevails.  All 
of  the  testimony  confirms  the  report  that  a  brilliant 
rainbow  surrounded  the  moon  at  the  time  the  mist 
came." 

Both  men  lapsed  into  silence,  and  profound  de 
pression  came  back  to  Yermah. 

"  The  gardens  have  suffered  comparatively  little," 
said  Orondo.  "  Not  finding  thee  here,  I  went  to  see 
them  immediately  after  ablution  and  prayers." 

"  Tlamco  has  been  spared  much  which  hath  be 
fallen  other  sections,"  responded  Yermah.  "  The 
Monbas  —  Thou  hast  heard?  " 

"  I  have  heard,"  said  Orondo  in  a  low  voice. 
"  My  heart  is  still  tender  toward  the  high-priestess, 
Keroecia.  So  long  as  I  live,  memory  will  hold  her 
first  among  women." 

Before  Yermah  could  reply,  he  hastened  to  ask: 

"  Hast  thou  news  from  Poseidon's  kingdom?  " 

"  My  summons  hence  is  hourly  expected.  I  am 
already  of  the  Brotherhood.  Seest  thou  the  sign 
manual  given  by  Akaza  ?  " 

He  held  up  his  hand  while  Orondo  inspected  the 
ring. 

"  Runners    were    dispatched    down    the    coast    to 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  301 

communicate  with  the  balsas  coming  in  from  At 
lantis,  but  no  answer  was  possible  before  my  de 
parture." 

"  Alcamayn  desires  speech  with  the  Servitor 
Yermah,"  announced  a  tamane,  answering  a  com 
mand  to  enter. 

"  Direct  him  here,"  said  Yermah.  "  Thou  hast 
not  seen  him  since  coming?  "  he  asked  Orondo. 

When  the  two  men  had  exchanged  greetings,  Al 
camayn  refused  to  disturb  the  conference. 

"  My  only  office  was  to  bring  tidings  from  the 
far  north.  Cezardis  of  the  Mazamas  is  here,  more 
dead  than  alive  from  hardships  unparalleled,  and 
begs  thou  wilt  give  him  leave  to  remain  in  Tlamco." 

"  Willingly.     But  how  fares  his  countrymen?  " 

"  They  are  sore  oppressed  by  the  elements,  espe 
cially  by  ice  and  snow,  and  there  is  only  a  handful 
of  them  left.  The  land  of  Ian  is  forever  separated 
from  this  continent.  An  arm  of  the  sea  lies  between 
them." 

"  Setos,  come  in!  Thou  art  most  welcome,"  said 
Orondo,  catching  a  glimpse  of  him  through  the  open 
doorway. 

"  Knowledge  of  thy  presence  hath  but  newly 
found  me,  and  I  came  direct  in  quest  of  thee,"  said 
Setos,  embracing  Orondo.  "  This  dread  calamity 
is  lessened,  since  thou  art  preserved." 

"  If  unalloyed  happiness  were  possible,  thy  speech 
would  give  it  me,"  responded  Orondo. 

Yermah  was  about  to  dismiss  Alcamayn,  when 
Setos  saluted  him  pompously,  as  became  the  head  of 
the  military. 

There  was  the  shadow  of  a  smile  on  Orondo's 
face  as  he  noted  the  new  air  of  dignity,  and  he  re- 


302  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

fleeted  that  it  was  quite  like  the  man  to  think  of  self 
in  the  midst  of  such  appalling  disaster. 

It  was  evident,  from  Setos's  punctilious,  ceremo 
nious  manner,  that  he  was  the  bearer  of  important 
news.  His  face  and  voice  bespoke  gratified  vanity 
as  he  said: 

"  Hast  thou  had  audience  with  the  emissaries  from 
Poseidon's  kingdom?  " 

"  No,"  answered  Yermah,  trying  to  read  the 
masked  countenance  before  him.  "  Art  thou  ad 
vised  of  the  import?  " 

"  Yes.  It  is  most  terrible.  Through  the  agencies 
of  earthquake  and  tidal  wave,  the  whole  island  of 
Atlantis,  with  every  living  thing,  is  on  the  bed  of  the 
ocean." 

A  sharp,  agonized  cry  from  Yermah,  who  swooned 
and  fell  face  downward  at  the  feet  of  Setos,  pre 
vented  further  remark. 

"  His  proud  warrior  spirit  quails  under  him,"  said 
that  individual  peering  at  him  curiously,  but  offering 
no  assistance.  "  His  courage  kisses  the  ground  be 
fore  disappointed  ambition.  For  the  first  time  he 
knows  fear."  Setos's  words  were  between  a  sneer 
and  a  hiss. 

"  Thou  art  destitute  of  humanity,"  exclaimed 
Orondo,  springing  forward  and  supporting  the  fallen 
head  on  his  knee.  "  Thy  brutal  abruptness  is  want 
ing  in  loyalty,"  he  continued,  as  long,  white  streaks 
mingled  with  the  ruddy  bronze  about  his  sternly  set 
mouth  and  chin. 

"  When  thou  art  in  Tlamco  longer  thou  wilt  find 
that  discontent  is  rampant  —  that  Yermah  no  longer 
has  a  united  following,"  returned  Setos,  surprised  at 
the  outburst  into  saying  more  than  he  had  intended. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  303 

"  If  so,  thou  art  at  fault.  Speak  not  thus  to  me, 
Setos!  I  know  that  thou  wert  called  a  black  magi 
cian  in  Poseidon's  kingdom,  and  that  none  of  the 
White  Brotherhood  except  Akaza  would  suffer  thy 
presence  among  the  chosen." 

Orondo's  face  was  ablaze  with  indignation,  while 
Setos  and  Alcamayn  exchanged  significant  glances. 

"  Thou  art  unduly  exercised,  Orondo,"  mildly  in 
terposed  the  jeweler.  "  Setos  meant  no  offense. 
Stress  of  the  times  and  Yermah's  long  affliction  have 
caused  people  to  babble  idly.  When  once  he  is 
among  them,  and  when  the  earth  is  stable  again,  it 
will  all  pass  like  mere  vaporings." 

"  I  had  sought  thee  for  private  conference  on  this 
very  subject,"  said  Setos,  apologetically. 

"  And  thou  hast  my  answer,"  repeated  Orondo, 
his  eyes  still  sparkling  angrily. 

Alcamayn  assisted  in  the  restoration,  and  Setos 
was  constrained  to  pull  up  a  reclining  chair,  as  the 
prostrate  figure  was  being  assisted  to  rise. 

"Thou  wilt  not  repeat?"  whispered  Setos, 
guiltily. 

"  Not  until  thou  hast  forgotten  to  be  loyal,"  as 
sented  Orondo,  looking  him  squarely  in  the  face. 

"Am  I  going  mad,  or  am  I  dying?"  wailed 
Yermah,  pushing  his  fingers  up  through  his  tangled 
hair.  "  Did  I  hear  aright?  Tell  me,  Setos  —  didst 
thou  say  that  our  native  land  and  all  our  people  are 
blotted  out?" 

"  Such  is  the  word  from  May  ax.  They  also 
report  that  the  land  of  the  Mexi  is  split  from  east 
to  west  with  a  great  rent  in  the  earth,  from  which 
seven  great  volcanoes  have  sent  fire  and  smoke  ever 
since  the  crevice  closed.  In  that  section  the  disturb- 


304  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

ance  came  from  the  east,  and  went  far  out  into  the 
surviving  islands  of  the  lost  Lemuria  on  the  west." 

Alcamayn  and  Orondo  shared  Yermah's  consterna 
tion;  but,  like  Setos,  they  never  expected  to  return 
to  Atlantis,  and  therefore  their  interest  was  not  so 
personal  and  keen. 

Yermah  still  seemed  stupefied,  but  he  roused  him 
self  by  a  mighty  effort  of  will. 

"  Call  all  the  people  together  in  the  Temple  of 
Saturn,  on  the  proper  day,  and  let  the  four  inter 
vening  suns  rise  on  a  fasting  and  contrite  nation. 
Let  every  house  and  roadway  be  swept  for  purifica 
tion.  Let  the  anointing  and  ablution  be  thorough, 
and  let  them  come  to  the  temple  laden  with  flowers ; 
because  where  flowers  grow,  love  has  been.  This 
is  the  end  of  a  divine  cycle;  and  it  is  befitting  that 
we  come  together  in  chastened  spirit  to  mourn  its 
myriad  dead." 

Seeing  that  they  stood  uncertain  as  to  how  to  pro 
ceed,  he  added: 

"  I  will  make  proclamation.  See  to  it,  Setos,  and 
thou,  Alcamayn,  that  the  edict  is  posted  on  all  the 
temple  doors  and  all  the  obelisks,  and  make  it  known 
to  the  fleet  and  to  the  warriors.  None  shall  be 
exempt  from  this  Festival  of  Humiliation,  and  it 
shall  be  an  anniversary  for  ages  to  come." 

"  Before  thou  art  engrossed  with  quill  and  parch 
ment,  accept  another  service  of  wine  of  maguey," 
said  Orondo,  while  the  tamane  was  arranging  writ 
ing  materials.  "  Thy  physical  strength  is  indeed  at 
low  ebb." 

"  But  my  agonized  spirit  hears  the  shrieks  of  de 
spair  of  our  dying  brothers.  May  they  find  com 
fort  in  the  bosom  of  the  Ineffable  One !  " 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  305 

"  Amend !  hear  and  grant,  we  beseech  thee !  " 
they  all  said  in  heartfelt  sympathy. 

"  Wilt  thou  give  us  leave  to  smoke?  "  asked  Setos, 
as  Yermah  prepared  to  write. 

"  With  both  assent  and  blessing.  Thou  art  kind 
to  remember  what  my  poor  confused  brain  is  unable 
to  recall  at  this  moment." 

He  wrote  : 

Brethren  of  Tlamco  —  Greeting: 

He  whose  face  is  always  inscrutable  and  hidden  begins 
another  eon  of  time.  Countless  thousands  of  our  fellows 
heard  the  dread  voice  and  are  silent. 

Alcyone,  the  great  central  sun,  has  once  more  suffered 
eclipse,  and  a  fiery  sign  hangs  in  the  heavens. 

The  north  is  ingulfed,  the  south  is  on  fire,  the  sacred 
east  frowns  and  threatens  in  gray  obscurity,  and  blood 
drowns  the  fading  light  in  the  west. 

Desolation  mocks  the  eye  on  all  sides. 

Thou  art  each  and  all  commanded  to  prepare  for  a  solemn 
commemoration  of  humiliation  and  despair.  Go  ye  all  to 
the  Temple  of  Saturn,  and  there  do  honor  to  our  beloved 
dead. 

Bear  thy  burdens  helpfully  and  with  courage;  for  in  the 
innumerable  wanderings,  upheavals,  and  cataclysms  of  our 
earth's  stupendous  career  each  creature  has  some  time  been 
summoned  under  penalty  of  death  to  make  good  use  of  its 
wits. 

How  many  courtiers  go  into  the  presence  of  a  king  a 
hundred  times,  not  to  have  speech  with  him,  not  to  hear  him, 
but  merely  to  be  seen,  that  he  may  know  they  are  willing 
to  serve. 

When  thou  art  in  the  house  of  death,  speak  if  thou  canst. 
If  not,  show  thyself,  and  let  thy  heart  be  content. 

Done  by  the  hand  of  thy  humble  servitor, 

YERMAH. 


306  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

In  dismissing  Alcamayn  and  Setos,  he  said : 

"  Send  the  couriers  from  the  lands  of  the  Mayax 
and  of  Mexi  to  me  in  the  early  morning.  I  will 
have  all  their  sayings  engrossed  on  parchment  and 
read  in  the  temple. 

"  Let  our  brethren  know  this." 

After  a  deep  sleep  of  exhaustion,  Yermah  arose  at 
early  dawn  and  went  into  the  private  sanctuary. 
Before  he  crossed  its  portals  his  attention  was  at 
tracted  by  a  ray  of  light  near  his  feet.  Looking 
closely,  he  saw  it  was  a  pentagram  graven  on  mica. 
It  had  two  points  on  the  side  toward  him,  and  placed 
so  —  it  was  a  charm  to  repel  evil. 

Picking  it  up,  he  noticed  that  the  reverse  side 
had  a  circle  for  the  sun,  a  crescent  for  the  moon,  a 
winged  caduceus  for  Mercury,  a  sword  for  Mars,  a 
hieroglyph  for  Venus,  and  a  scythe  for  Saturn. 
The  glyph  was  in  the  center,  and  interlaced  with  it 
was  the  word  "  Azoth." 

A  scrap  of  paper  catching  the  Dorado's  eye,  he 
stooped  and  picked  up  Akaza's  will.  After  giving 
minute  directions  about  finding  the  manuscript  and 
sacred  relics  hidden  in  the  cave  at  Ingharep,  it  said: 

I  who  am  old  and  weary  of  the  world  sink  into  its  dust. 
But  I  swear  by  him  who  sleeps  at  Aision  that  never  did  I 
not  exist,  nor  will  any  one  of  us  hereafter  cease  to  be  — 
though  in  this  body  thou  wilt  never  see  me  again. 

Farewell,  my  beloved!  When  thou  hast  mastered  the 
pentagram,  that  sublime  figure  whose  geometrical  form  con 
nects  the  five  senses  of  man  with  the  throne  of  creative  power, 
thou  wilt  fully  realize  that  that  which  we  hold  as  evil  is 
in  reality  the  greatest  good. 

Farewell,  beloved!  Treasure  the  five-pointed  star,  and 
meditate  continually  upon  its  teachings.  Fear  not.  The 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  307 

promise  to  return  to  thy  native  land  shall  be  made  good  to 
thee  when  the  times  and  seasons  are  propitious.  When  the 
inner  spirit  prompts  thee,  go.  Thou  wilt  find  a  pentagram 
of  similar  make  in  the  right  spot.  Let  the  seal  of  silence 
be  on  thy  lips.  May  thy  courage  wax  and  grow  strong  as 
a  lion.  Though  absent  from  the  body,  yet  I  am  with  thee 
always.  Thou  art  my  successor  in  all  things.  Wear  the 
mantle  of  authority  as  if  the  All-seeing  Eye  were  bent  upon 
thee  continually. 

Farewell,  my  best  beloved!  May  that  formless  entity 
whose  presence  is  everywhere  felt,  yet  never  comprehended, 
guide  and  bless  thee  always. 

.  AKAZA  THE  HERMAPHRODITE.1 

Trying  to  fully  realize  that  Akaza  had  crossed 
the  boundary  line  between  the  two  worlds,  Yermah 
passed  into  the  sanctuary. 

But  before  he  knelt  he  saw  a  tiny  white  square 
lying  on  the  altar.  He  had  only  to  glance  at  it  to 
recognize  the  broken  threads  and  entangled  mesh  of 
Keroecia's  weave.  Some  thoughtful  hand  had  placed 
it  there.  He  carried  it  to  his  lips  reverently  and  ex 
amined  it  curiously.  It  was  water-stained  and 
wrinkled  from  compression  in  a  pocket,  but  he 
divined  that  she  had  sent  it  to  him  by  Ben  Hu  Barabe. 
Some  time,  when  he  could  bear  to  speak  of  it,  he 
would  make  inquiry  —  but  not  now!  "  O  God!  — 
not  now!  " 

He  sank  down  before  the  statue. 

1  Initiates  were  always  considered  hermaphrodites,  but  not  in 
a  sex  sense.  The  name  itself  implies  this,  being  a  compound 
of  Hermes  (wisdom)  and  Aphrodite  (love).  When  sex  takes 
precedence  over  humanity  it  is  hard  to  explain  a  divine  mystery, 
because  organs  are  mistaken  attributes,  and  the  whole  world  is 
sex  mad.  Nevertheless,  activity  and  repose,  positive  and  nega 
tive,  equilibrium  and  discord,  cause  and  effect,  involution  and 
evolution,  differentiation  and  polarization  of  atoms,  and  the  laws 
governing  them  are  united  in  the  one  word  —  SEX. 


308  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"All,  all  is  lost!  "  he  cried  in  agony  of  soul  — 
"  Keroecia,  Akaza,  and  my  fatherland!  It  is  more 
than  I  can  endure !  Grant  release  to  this  tortured 
spirit  —  Thou  whose  whole  essence  is  love  and  wis 
dom!  " 

Hoarse  moans  and  sobs  choked  his  utterance, 
while  everything  in  the  room  seemed  to  vibrate  with 
overwhelming  sorrow. 

He  was  crying  man's  tears  —  those  that  leave  the 
eyelids  dry,  but  drip  inwardly  and  fall  scalding  hot 
on  the  heart.  His  poor  routed  will  power  inter 
posed  no  opposition,  while  grief  hurricaned  through 
his  non-resisting  body.  He  was  fighting  the  battle 
alone  —  facing  the  utter  negation  of  self  —  the 
complete  overthrow  of  desire. 

Finally,  overcome  by  physical  exhaustion,  he  lay 
with  his  head  at  the  feet  of  Orion,  too  weary  to 
make  an  effort  of  any  kind.  After  a  while  a  sort 
of  stupor  came  over  him,  and  then  he  heard  voices, 
while  a  cool  breath  of  air  fanned  his  heated  cheek, 
and  he  felt  the  presence  of  his  loved  ones. 

"  Behold  in  tribulation  the  key  which  unlocks  the 
mystery  of  the  soul!  The  initiate  cannot  speak  to 
the  heart  of  man  until  he  has  himself  drained  to  the 
dregs  the  bitter  cup  of  life's  miseries." 

Yermah  lifted  a  startled  face,  and  peered  intently 
about  him  in  the  vain  hope  of  locating  the  speaker. 

"  Fear  not,  my  beloved !  Man  is  only  what  he 
thinks.  He  mingles  his  aura  with  that  of  his  fel 
lows,  and  the  Redeemer  becomes  the  fellow-sufferer, 
because  the  twain  are  made  one  in  sorrow.  Rise 
and  go  forth  comforted.  Thou  hast  loosed  the  belt 
of  Orion.  Thou  hast  crossed  the  bridge  of  Kinevat." 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation,  and  with  implicit 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  309 

faith,  Yermah  obeyed.  He  had  touched  and  re 
bounded  from  the  lowest  rung  of  personal  grief  and 
despair,  and  he  would  never  again  sink  so  deeply  in 
the  Slough  of  Despond. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-ONE 

A   COMMEMORATION   OF    HUMILIATION   AND 
DESPAIR 

THE  Temple  of  Saturn,  where  the  Festival 
of  Humiliation  was  held,  was  situated  on 
Park  Hill,   southeast  of  the  center  of  the 
city,  near  Mount  Olympus.     It  represented  one  of 
the  rings  of  Saturn,  while  a  hill  now  occupied  by 
an  iron  water-tank  gave  the  outer  ring. 

The  temple  itself  marked  the  orbit  of  Saturn,  the 
reaper  who  gathers  the  harvest  of  the  dead.  It  was 
a  square  edifice,  and  had  towers  which  were  of  the 
same  form  at  the  base,  but  became  round  as  the  tall 
spires  rose  skyward.  A  high  arched  entrance  of 
elaborately  carved  sandstone  led  to  a  long  quad 
rangular  hall.  The  ceiling  was  of  heavy  paneled 
redwood,  polished  and  treated  with  copal,  while  the 
walls  were  an  elaborate  mural  broken,  double  and 
single  key  patterns,  interspersed  with  squares,  circles 
and  triangles  in  porphyry  bas-relief.  The  floor  was 
a  succession  of  interlaced  hoops  and  balls  of  blue 
enamel  on  squares  of  white  marble. 

Unlike  the  other  temples,  there  was  but  one  en 
trance,  which  faced  west,  signifying  that  all  who 
entered  the  Hall  of  Death  came  by  the  same  road; 
and,  also,  that  the  sun  going  down  in  the  west  was 
typical  of  physical  life  departing  from  the  body. 

An    intricately    carved    ebony    arch,    relieved    by 
310 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  311 

pieces  of  crystal  and  tiny  panels  of  isinglass,  enclosed 
the  eastern  altar,  containing  a  gold  sunburst  and 
throne  of  the  same,  on  which  was  seated  a  green 
jasper  statue  of  Maia  —  the  Virgin  Mother  of  all. 

The  elevated  platform  of  black  marble  had  in 
cense  vessels,  urns,  and  vases  of  gold,  set  with  black 
onyx  and  diamonds,  in  a  delicate  tracery  of  black 
enamel. 

Emblematic  brocades  of  pale  blue  silk  hung  be 
tween  the  square,  windows,  whose  innumerable  small 
panes  were  of  frosted  glass  set  in  a  circular  frame. 

A  circle  inscribed  within  a  square  is  the  geo 
metrical  emblem  of  death,  and  the  veiled  light  con 
veyed  the  same  idea. 

In  the  center  of  the  southern  wall,  under  a  richly 
canopied  entablature  of  arms  of  Atlantis,  embla 
zoned  on  a  heavily  fringed  and  corded  brocade  of 
shaded  blue,  was  a  high  granite  slab,  back  of  which 
was  a  square  ark  containing  an  aerolite  stone. 

The  Immaculate  Conception  also  pertains  to  the 
mystery  of  death,  since  it  is  a  new  birth,  and  the 
heaven-born  stone  signifies  that  the  newly  released 
spirit  is  immaculate.  In  other  words,  that  its  birth 
into  the  body  and  contact  with  material  life  have 
left  no  stain  upon  its  intrinsic  purity. 

Before  this  shrine  Yermah  ordered  a  purple  veil 
of  Akaza  to  be  placed.  Skulls  and  crossbones  in 
white  were  painted  upon  this,  to  show  that  he  was 
master  of  the  living  as  well  as  of  the  dead. 

The  queen  of  odors,  jasmine,  which  corresponds 
to  G  in  alt,  or  equilibrium,  filled  the  perfumed  lamp 
suspended  in  the  center  of  the  shrine;  while  ewers 
of  oil,  containing  citron,  lemon,  orange-peel,  ver 
bena,  and  rose  sat  on  either  side. 


312  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  Azes  recognized  the  octaves  of  odor,  and 
offered  the  higher  grade  to  age;  while  the  lower, 
consisting  of  almond,  heliotrope,  vanilla,  clematis 
and  neroli,  were  placed  in  ewers  on  the  altar  oppo 
site,  as  a  sacrifice  to  youth. 

Musically,  these  correspond  to  the  lower  bass  and 
upper  treble  clefs. 

On  a  square  base  of  onyx  rose  a  pyramid  and 
obelisk  of  prismatic  glass  at  each  side  of  the  north 
ern  niche.  The  pyramid  was  composed  of  glass 
squares,  ingeniously  piled  up,  and  the  obelisk  was  of 
round  balls  of  glass,  beginning  with  twelve,  and 
ending  with  one.  Several  lighted  lamps  placed  be 
hind  them  gave  a  bewildering  effect  of  color  through 
the  crystal. 

The  niche  itself  ended  in  a  sharp  triangle,  and 
contained  a  blue  enamel  swastika,  familiarly  known 
to-day  as  the  Keys  of  Saint  Peter. 

Astronomically,  it  is  the  sign  Aquarius,  which  is 
Janus,  or  Saint  Peter,  while  Pisces  is  the  swastika  in 
his  hand.  It  is  correlated  to  the  spiral  movements 
in  nature  everywhere,  and  its  hieroglyph  is  a  dragon, 
serpent  meander,  or  two  rivers  of  fire. 

Three  marble  steps  led  to  this  altar,  and  there  was 
a  constant  stream  of  people  praying  before  it.  They 
entered  barefooted,  and  silently  threw  themselves  on 
the  floor  before  the  altars.  The  swastika  not  only 
indicated  the  time,  but  also  the  unsettled  condition, 
and  they  implored  continually: 

"  O  Thou  who  art  master  of  all  motion,  hold 
Thou  the  earth  fast  in  the  hollow  of  Thy  hand! 
Grant  that  it  may  no  longer  be  swayed  in  its  orbit, 
but  may  go  in  peace,  freed  from  evil  influence. 
Hear  and  answer,  we  beseech  Thee !  " 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  313 

Rising  at  daybreak,  the  whole  populace  made  their 
ablutions  with  scrupulous  care,  and  dressed  them 
selves  in  spotless  white. 

They  waited  in  vain  for  a  glimpse  of  the  rising 
sun,  and  then  betook  themselves  to  the  housetops. 

Turning  with  infinite  yearning  to  the  north,  they 
cried  out: 

"  Spirits  of  the  lost  ones,  come  quickly,  since  thou 
art  expected !  " 

This  curious  practice  was  kept  up  at  this  yearly 
festival  until  the  time  of  the  conquest  of  Mexico. 
All  the  native  races  of  America  believed  with  the 
Norsemen  that  hell  was  situated  in  the  north  doubt 
less  in  memory  of  the  overwhelming  destruction  of 
the  great  Ice  Age. 

Esoterically,  ice  is  spiritual  fire. 

Reentering  their  houses,  the  populace  took  their 
canapas  *  which  were  the  same  as  the  Roman  titular 
deities,  and  hastened  to  a  great  funeral  pyre  already 
smoking  in  front  of  the  Temple  of  Saturn. 

Since  fire  was  the  substance  of  the  sun,  and  since 
the  sun's  ray  was  the  medium  through  which  Deity 
contacted  the  earth,  the  devotees  did  not  venture 
near  it  without  prostrating  themselves,  kissing  the 
earth,  and  making  manifestations  of  abasement. 

The  worshipers  made  low  obeisance  to  the  four  car 
dinal  points,  and  threw  cassia,  cinnamon,  sweet  cala 
mus  and  myrrh  into  the  flames.  Braving  the  heat, 
they  held  the  canapas  in  the  smoke  until  the  figures 
warmed  perceptibly,  then  wrapped  them  in  linen 
scorched  by  the  fire,  and  ran  back  to  their  houses. 

It  was  no  longer  possible  to  summon  them  to  the 
temples  by  ringing  the  big  bell  on  top  of  the  Observa- 

1  Lares  and  penates  —  household  gods. 


314  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

tory,  as  the  tower  still  lay  in  ruins;  so  they  waited 
for  the  trumpet-call. 

Incense  was  burned  on  the  sacrificial  altars,  and 
a  pot-pourri  of  resinous  gums  was  carried  in  the 
hand,  in  alabaster  or  jeweled  boxes,  along  with  palm 
branches,  which  indicated  a  new  period  of  mani 
festation  of  matter. 

A  procession  issued  from  the  western  gate  of  the 
Temple  of  the  Sun,  in  the  center  of  Tlamco.  First 
came  a  troop  of  warrior-priests  with  spears  held  up 
right  and  garlanded  with  roses. 

The  next  was  Yermah,  robed  in  cloth  of  gold,  with 
a  white  linen  mantle  over  his  shoulder.  His  head 
was  bared,  and  he  had  submitted  to  tonsure  as  a 
sacred  observance. 

The  Azes  considered  the  human  head  a  magnet, 
having  a  natural  electrical,  irregular  circle,  moving 
in  the  path  of  the  sun. 

The  os-frontis,  sinciput,  and  os-sublime  are  the 
positive  pole,  while  the  occiput  is  the  negative. 

In  the  right  hand  of  the  Dorado  was  a  lotus- 
headed  scepter,  an  emblem  of  religious  dominion; 
while  in  his  left  hand  was  a  sword  constructed  in 
the  form  of  a  cross,  with  three  pommels,  or  two 
crescents  for  guards.  It  had  been  newly  conse 
crated  by  being  thrust  into  a  fire  made  of  laurel  and 
cypress  woods,  after  which  it  was  wiped  and  pol 
ished  with  the  ashes  and  wrapped  in  a  linen  cloth. 

Behind  the  Dorado  were  one  hundred  youths, 
dressed  to  represent  the  four  seasons;  and  after 
them  came  Imos,  the  high-priest,  in  green  robes  and 
tiara,  borne  on  a  litter  by  twelve  priests,  represent 
ing  the  sun  in  one  of  its  zodiacal  houses. 

Following,  walked  the  Virgin  of  the  Sun,  Oahspe, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  315 

who  was  to  be  offered  up  in  sacrifice,  as  a  solemn 
atonement  for  the  people. 

This  observance  did  not  involve  the  horrible  rites 
of  later  superstition,  because  she  did  not  represent 
death  to  the  physical,  but  death  of  transgression  and 
new  birth  into  righteousness. 

Back  of  her  were  one  hundred  vestals,  dressed  in 
white  and  crowned  with  myrtle.  After  them  came 
boys  and  girls  to  the  number  of  three  hundred  and 
sixty-five,  each  representing  the  sun  and  moon  in  their 
daily  journey. 

Last  were  five  hundred  warrior-priests  clad  in 
black,  with  white  crosses  on  their  backs  and  breasts. 

The  procession  wound  slowly  around  the  serpen 
tine  avenue,  and  up  the  winding  path  to  the  temple, 
the  priests  chanting  a  hymn  as  they  walked.  Fil 
ing  in,  they  stood  ranged  in  rows  on  each  side  of  the 
hall,  and  in  the  gray  morning  light  their  voices 
mingled  with  melodious  strains  of  harps,  flutes  and 
lyres.  The  music  rose  grandly,  floating  through  the 
dim  aisles  and  out  into  the  crowded  spaces  before  the 
entrance.  There  were  no  lights  on  the  altars,  and 
the  congregation  moved  like  specters  in  the  semi- 
darkness. 

Imos  knelt  in  the  center  before  the  veil  which  en 
closed  the  figure  of  the  ever-youthful  Virgin.  On 
his  right  side  knelt  Yermah,  and  on  his  left  was 
Oahspe. 

A  hush  fell  over  the  people,  the  music  ceased  and 
all  waited  with  bated  breath  to  see  if  Divine  help 
would  be  vouchsafed  them. 

Suddenly,  through  a  rift  in  the  clouds,  shone  a 
resplendent  sun-ray,  which  flooded  the  figures  and  the 
statue  with  a  golden  light. 


316  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  tense,  strained,  fearful  looks  relaxed,  and  a 
long  sigh  of  relief  escaped  their  lips,  while  an  elec 
tric  thrill  ran  through  the  crowd,  and  many  of  them 
wept  unrestrainedly. 

The  gates  of  the  enclosure  swung  open,  and  Imos 
stood  within,  facing  the  sun.  Then  Yermah  took 
Oahspe  by  the  hand,  and  led  her  to  Imos,  who  made 
a  sign  of  hierarchal  blessing  and  poured  a  few  drops 
of  olive  oil  over  her  hair.  The  high-priest  stepped 
back,  and,  placing  his  right  hand  over  his  heart, 
held  his  left  up  to  the  figure  of  Maia,  the  Cosmic 
Virgin,  and  proclaimed  in  a  loud  voice : 

"  It  is  consummated !  " 

There  was  a  moment's  silence. 

The  sunshine  faded  from  the  golden  hair  of 
Oahspe,  and  a  light,  made  by  no  mortal  hands, 
flickered  around  the  statue,  illuminating  the  whole 
niche. 

"  In  thy  strength  and  wisdom,  O  Father-Mother, 
join  Thou  the  heavens  above  with  the  earth  below!  " 
cried  the  people  in  response. 

Again  the  music  swelled  through  the  temple  and 
the  warrior-priests  made  use  of  their  long  spears  to 
light  the  lamps. 

Yermah  received  the  three-handled  silver  cup  of 
humiliation  from  the  high-priest  Imos,  and  partook 
of  its  bitter  contents.  From  him  it  passed  to 
Oahspe,  then  to  Orondo,  Setos,  Alcamayn,  Ildiko, 
Rahula,  Cezardis,  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  and  Alcyesta  and 
then  on  to  every  man  and  woman  in  the  temple. 

The  priests  composed  and  arranged  the  music 
used  in  the  temples;  and  now  a  choir  chanted  a 
funeral  text  from  their  sacred  books,  referring  to  the 
sinking  in  earlier  cataclysms  of  the  continents  of 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  317 

Ruta  and  Daitya,  which  extended  into  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  and  the  Caribbean  Sea. 

These  continents  included  the  Azores,  the  Cape 
Verde  and  Grand  Canary  Islands,  while  the  peaks 
of  Teneriffe  are  all  that  is  left  of  Poseidon's  king 
dom.  The  latter,  an  island  three  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  long  and  two  hundred  miles  wide,  contained 
the  crystallization  of  ancient  civilization,  and  had 
colonies  in  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe. 

The  history  of  this  race  is  written  in  the  public 
works  of  the  ancient  kingdoms;  in  their  bridges 
crossing  great  rivers  and  swamps;  in  the  highways 
leveling  mighty  mountains  and  uplifting  plains;  in 
the  matchless  gardens  and  aqueducts;  in  the  beauty 
and  splendor  of  the  cities;  in  fabulous  treasures  of 
gold  and  silver;  and,  more  than  all,  in  the  grandeur 
of  the  mighty  pyramids,  temples  and  obelisks  erected 
and  dedicated  to  the  glorification  of  a  Supreme  Being. 

It  was  also  written  in  the  provident  laws  of  the 
nation  —  in  its  progressive  civic  life,  its  happiness 
and  its  calm,  delightful  view  of  the  world. 

The  priests  chanted: 

"  The  end  of  the  Etherean  column  that  extended 
to  Kinevat,  on  the  borders  of  the  vortex  of  the 
earth,  was  made  fast  by  the  pressure  of  Thy  wide 
heavens. 

"  And  the  vertex  closed  in  from  the  extreme  end, 
and,  loj  the  earth  was  broken !  " 

The  people  looked  at  each  other  and  shuddered. 

They  understood  the  significance  of  Orion's  Belt, 
and  they  knew,  also,  that  the  three  hills  overlooking 
the  Golden  Gate,  where  the  waters  had  lately  rushed 
through,  typified  one  end  of  the  Bridge  of  Kinevat. 

Some  among  them  knew  that  this  referred  to  ini- 


318  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

tiation,  but  it  was  generally  supposed  that  the  mys 
tery  had  reference  to  death. 

One  variant  of  this  allegory  was  personated  in  the 
heavens  by  the  constellation  of  Orion.  The  three 
bright  stars  in  his  belt  represented  Will,  Aspiration 
and  Harmony. 

For  this  reason  the  Dorado  was  required  to  pray 
before  a  figure  of  Orion  which  was  the  official  lares 
and  penates  of  laqua.  In  the  abstract,  the  statue 
symbolized  the  god-hood  in  man. 

As  an. image  of  his  own  higher  self,  it  was  a 
something  on  which  Yermah  could  concentrate  all  of 
his  thought-forces. 

A  low,  plaintive  wail  from  the  instruments,  and 
a  chill  seized  the  audience. 

"  A  mighty  continent  was  cut  loose  from  its 
fastenings,"  sang  the  bass  voices.  "  The  fires  of  the 
earth  came  forth  in  flames  and  clouds  and  loud  roar 
ings." 

"  And  the  land  rocked  to  and  fro  like  a  ship  at 
sea,"  chimed  the  tenors. 

"  Again  the  vortex  of  the  earth  closed  in  on  all 
sides,"  they  all  sang  together. 

"  By  great  pressure  the  land  sank  beneath  the 
waters  to  rise  no  more,"  they  repeated  three  times. 
Then,  after  an  impressive  pause: 

"  The  corporeans  all  went  down  to  death !  " 

The  wails  and  cries  of  the  mourners  drowned  the 
music. 

In  the  midst  of  the  exercise,  Yermah  was  invested 
with  a  purple  robe  and  the  pointed  hat  of  a  hiero- 
phant,  while  Imos  took  position  in  the  northern 
niche,  in  front  of  the  swastika.  When  quiet  was 


319 


restored  the  high-priest  knelt  with  the  entire  congre 
gation,  and  after  a  long  and  fervent  supplication 
rose  and  hung  a  broken  heart  of  rubies  on  a  little 
gold  hook  in  the  center  of  the  revolving  cross. 

"  Sacred  to  thy  memory,  O  Atlantis ! 
Fit  semblance  of  our  grief  for  thee,  O  Poseidon ! 
Reminder  of  our  transition  hence  to  Kinevat  — 
The  bridge  between  us  and  eternity !  " 

chanted  the  entire  assemblage,  making  genuflections 
continuously. 

Yermah  found  his  way  to  the  platform,  and  as 
Imos  gave  the  hierarchal  blessing  he  handed  the 
Dorado  a  parchment  scroll,  which  the  latter  slowly 
unrolled  and  read : 

BUNDLE   OF  WONDERFUL   THINGS  * 

The  Great  King  of  the  Dazzling  Face,  the  chief  of  all 
the  Yellow  Faces,  was  sad,  seeing  the  sins  of  the  Black 
Faces.  He  sent  his  air-vehicles  to  all  his  brother  chiefs  with 
highest  men  within,  saying: 

"  Prepare !  Arise,  ye  men  of  the  Good  Law,  and  cross 
the  land  while  dry !  The  Lords  of  the  Storm  are  approach 
ing. 

"  Their  chariots  are  nearing  the  land. 

"  She  is  doomed,  and  they  have  to  descend  with  her. 

"  The  nether  Lords  of  the  Fires  (gnomes  and  fire  ele- 
mentals)  are  preparing  their  magic-worked  weapons. 

"  But  the  Lords  of  the  Dark  Eye  are  stronger  than  these 
elementals,  and  they  are  the  slaves  of  the  mighty  ones. 

"  They  are  versed  in  Astra.     Come  and  use  yours. 

"  Let  every  Lord  of  the  Dazzling  Face  cause  the 
vehicles  of  every  Lord  of  the  Dark  Face  to  come  into  his 
hands,  lest  any  should  by  this  means  escape  from  the  waters ; 

1 H.  P.  Blavatsky  in  The  Secret  Doctrine. 


320  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

avoid  the  rod  of  the  four  elements,  and  save  the  wicked 
people. 

"  May  every  Yellow  Face  send  sleep  from  himself  to 
every  Black  Face. 

"May  even  they  be  free  from  pain.  May  every,  man 
who  is  true  to  the  Solar  Gods  bind  every  man  under  the 
Lunar.  Gods,  lest  he  should  suffer  or  escape  his  destiny. 

"  And  may  every  Yellow  Face  offer  his  life-water  to  the 
speaking  animal  watching  beside  the  Black  Face. 

"  Let  him  not  awaken  his  master  —  The  hour  has  struck 
—  the  black  night  is  ready  —  Let  their  destiny  be  accom 
plished.  We  are  the  servants  of  the  Great  Four  —  May 
the  King  of  Light  return." 

"  The  Great  King  fell  upon  his  dazzling  face  and 
wept. 

.  .  .  "  When  the  kings  assembled,  the  waters  had  al 
ready  moved.  .  .  .  The  natives  had  now  crossed  the 
dry  lands.  They  were  beyond  the  water-mark.  Their 
kings  reached  them  in  their  vehicles,  and  led  them  on  to 
the  lands  of  fire  and  metal  (east  and  north)  .  .  . 

"  Stars  and  meteors  showered  on  the  lands  of  the  Black 
Faces,  but  they  slept.  .  .  . 

"  The  waters  rose  and  covered  the  valleys  from  one  end 
of  the  earth  to  the  other.  High  lands  remained  dry. 
.  .  .  There  dwelt  those  who  escaped  —  the  men  of  the 
Yellow  Faces  and  of  the  Straight  Eye. 

"  When  the  Lords  of  the  Dark  Faces  awoke,  they  be 
thought  them  of  the  vehicles,  in  order  to  escape  from  the 
rising  waters,  but  they  were  gone.  Some  of  the  most  pow 
erful  of  the  Dark  Faces  awoke  first,  and  pursued  those  who 
had  spoiled  them.  Many  of  the  faint-hearted  perished  on 
their  way. 

"  The  pursuers,  whose  heads  and  chests  soared  high  above 
the  water,  chased  them.  Finally  the  rising  waves  reached 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

them,  and  they  perished  to  the  last  man.  The  soil  sank 
under  their  feet,  and  the  earth  engulfed  those  who  had 
desecrated  her. 


When  Yermah  ceased  speaking,  he  crossed  over 
to  the  southern  altar,  and  laid  a  small  wreath  of 
jasmine  on  Akaza's  veil,  saying: 

"  Thou  hast  quashed  the  will-o'-the-wisp  of 
doubtful  spirits.  Thou  hast  crossed  the  Bridge  of 
Kinevat  *  and  art  come  into  bliss." 

The  congregation  followed  the  example  of  the 
Dorado,  and  for  the  remainder  of  the  day  made 
offerings  upon  the  different  altars.  They  deposited 
palms  in  the  eastern  niche;  on  the  north,  cypress  and 
aloes;  on  the  south,  quantities  of  white  flowers; 
while  about  the  entrance  they  strewed  branches  of 
weeping-willow. 

The  sun  went  down  on  absolute  silence. 

Every  animal  was  either  muzzled  or  shut  up  in  a 
dark  place. 

There  was  not  a  light  in  the  city,  nor  did  a  human 
being  speak  above  a  whisper. 

Just  before  midnight  the  people  retired,  without 
breaking  fast  during  the  whole  twenty-four  hours. 

1  It  is  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  personality  originates 
thought.  The  sphere  called  mind  reflects  thought,  as  the  earth 
reflects  the  light  of  the  sun.  It  is  quite  as  mis-leading  to  as 
sert  that  the  spirit  leaves  the  body  at  death  as  it  would  be  to 
assume  that  the  sun  is  actually  in  the  earth,  because  this  planet 
lives  by  its  rays.  The  spirit  never  is  in  the  body  —  therefore 
it  has  neither  birth  nor  death.  It  contacts  and  vivifies  the 
body  in  the  same  manner  as  does  the  sun  the  earth.  The 
photosphere  of  the  earth,  and  the  aura  of  man  are  universal 
exemplifications  of  the  mysterious  Bridge  of  Kinevat. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


In  the  dead  watches  of  the  night  they  communed 
silently  with  hordes  of  disembodied  entities  who  had 
crossed  the  bridge  which  connects  one  phase  of  mind 
with  desire,  and  the  other  with  spirit.  By  this 
means  the  upward  surging  forces  of  the  animal  king 
dom,  are  united  with  the  downward  cycling  emana 
tion  of  the  Divine  —  the  most  profound  myth  asso 
ciated  with  the  Bridge  of  Kinevat. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-TWO 

THE  ARROW-HEAD  MEMORIAL  TO  THE  LOST  MONBAS 

TRIBES 

F    |   ^HE  legend  of  Humoo,  or  the  Lost  Arrow, 
associated  with  the  Giant's  Thumb,  one  of 


1 


the  wonders  of  the  Yo-Semite  Valley,  had 
its  origin  in  the  building  of  the  enormous  arrow 
head  in  a  triangular  plateau  two  thousand  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  in  the  ribbon-like  convolutions 
of  the  San  Bernardino  Mountains,  about  six  miles 
from  the  little  village  bearing  the  same  name. 

The  Mexican  hero,  Santa  Anna,  is  immortalized 
in  the  name  of  the  valley  stretching  southward  to 
the  peaks  of  Temescal,  where  tin  and  other  ore  of 
value  was  being  formed  in  nature's  laboratory,  as 
Yermah  and  his  men  fashioned  the  arrow-head l 
which  would  serve  as  a  memorial  stone,  an  arrow 
head  burial  for  the  lost  Monbas  tribes. 

A  circle  intersecting  Twin  Peaks,  in  Tlamco,  and 
including  the  North  Dome,  in  the  Yo-Semite,  and 
the  arrow-head,  is  exactly  one  fifth  the  diameter  of 
the  moon.  The  dual  reference  to  the  mind  and  to 
people,  always  ascribed  to  the  influence  of  the  moon, 
here  found  adequate  expression  in  this  giant  monu 
ment.  It  commemorated  the  loss  of  a  continent,  the 
extinction  of  a  race,  and  also  pictured  the  mental 
anguish  of  the  surviving  nations. 

1  Sixteen  hundred  (Egyptian)   feet  long  by  five  hundred  feet 
wide. 

323 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


The  arrow,  typical  of  thought,  was  composed  of 
disintegrated  white  quartz  on  light  gray  granite, 
and  it  stands  out  bold  and  white  against  a  dark 
background  of  entirely  different  soil.  Short  white 
grass  and  weeds  cover  the  arrow-head  proper,  while 
dark  shrubbery  and  trees  mark  the  surrounding 
country.  So  perfect  is  its  contour,  so  elevated  its 
situation,  it  can  be  descried  from  every  part  of  the 
valley,  and  is  plainly  visible  at  a  distance  of  thirty 
miles. 

So  cunningly  was  the  soil  mixed  for  the  molding 
of  the  arrow,  that  the  ages  since  have  not  caused  it 
to  diminish,  nor  can  it  be  made  to  support  vegetation 
of  a  larger  growth,  or  of  species  common  to  its 
surroundings. 

The  flint  points  downward,  and  at  its  base  is  a 
cluster  of  twenty  medicinal  springs,  famous  for  their 
curative  powers. 

Westward  Santa  Catalina  Island  had  but  recently 
appeared,  and  although  eighty  miles  away,  it  still 
smoked  and  rocked,  animated  by  the  hidden  forces 
which  called  it  into  being. 

The  blue  coast  line  rises  out  of  the  purple  mists 
in  the  distance  like  spectral  silhouettes.  And  there 
are  deep  canons  in  the  rugged  mountains  in  the  im 
mediate  vicinity,  carrying  ice-cold  streams  in  close 
proximity  to  the  steam  and  sulphurous  vapors  issu 
ing  from  the  boiling  springs  dotting  the  narrow  pass 
below. 

Yermah  did  wisely  to  bring  his  men  south  —  for 
the  northern  mountains  were  still  shaking  and  spit 
ting  black  vomit  over  the  valleys  at  their  base. 

The  heat  was  too  fierce  for  rain,   although  the 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  325 

moisture-laden  breezes  were  sucked  in  from  the 
ocean  in  perfect  hurricanes. 

Lying  well  south,  inland,  and  sheltered  by  a  moun 
tain  range,  the  San  Bernardino  Valley  afforded 
shelter  for  distressed  man  and  beast.  It  was  here, 
and  while  waiting  for  seed-time,  that  the  arrow-head 
was  outlined  so  strangely  on  the  mountain  side. 

Much  that  is  curious  in  Indian  lore  clings  to  this 
spot.  Like  a  pillar  of  fire,  the  arrow  is  said  to  have 
guided  their  forefathers  to  this  place,  where  it  finally 
rested.  Evil  has  been  put  to  flight  here  more  than 
once. 

The  Azes'  judges  drew  the  death-circle  and  square 
over  the  breast  of  the  condemned  with  an  arrow, 
and  this  is  why  the  arrow-head  burial  was  given 
Keroecia  and  her  followers. 

The  Festival  of  Humiliation  began  a  period  of 
mourning  which  was  continuous  and  fervid  until 
this  curious  monument  was  completed  and  dedi 
cated. 

While  Yermah  was  away  from  Tlamco,  Orondo 
served  in  his  stead  much  to  the  annoyance  of  Setos, 
who  was  as  busy  as  a  mole  in  the  dark,  stirring  up 
sedition,  and  adding  to  the  general  unrest  and  sus 
picion  everywhere  manifest. 

The  high-priest,  Imos,  at  the  suggestion  of  Setos, 
openly  charged  that  the  Brotherhood  of  the  White 
Star  were  to  blame  for  the  destruction  of  Atlantis. 
Some  solemn  vow  had  been  broken,  and  Deity  was 
mortally  offended. 

This  assertion  gave  pestiferous,  meddlesome  Setos 
the  desired  opportunity,  and  he  instituted  a  severe 
and  rigorous  investigation  into  the  conduct  of  all 


326  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

public  affairs;  also,  into  the  lives  of  every  man  and 
woman  in  Tlamco. 

No  one  escaped;  nor  was  any  situation  sacred  to 
the  inquisitors,  who  in  the  name  of  morality  did  not 
hesitate  to  go  to  any  length. 

Setos  did  not  dare  to  openly  accuse  Yermah  of 
breaking  a  vow  made  to  the  Ineffable  One. 

He  refrained  from  fixing  this  unpardonable  sin  on 
any  other  person,  and  by  innuendo  and  insinuation 
contrived  to  strengthen  every  breath  of  discontent 
inherent  in  the  unusual  conditions  arising  from  a 
mixture  of  races,  habits  and  modes  of  thought. 

He  urged  Yermah  to  give  all  refugees  asylum  in 
Tlamco,  knowing  that  enforced  idleness  and  nameless 
dread  opened  the  mind  for  seditious  propaganda. 
Both  he  and  Imos  insisted  strenuously  that  some  one 
had  sinned  against  Divinity. 

This  accusation  made  each  one  distrustful  and 
suspicious,  and  in  their  anxiety  to  clear  themselves 
many  an  overt  act  or  word  was  let  loose  to  strengthen 
the  intangible  something  which  hovered  in  the  air. 
None  pretended  to  name  it;  nor  was  there  anything 
but  the  most  circumspect  language  used.1 

Setos  knew  better  than  to  show  his  hand.  He 
was  content,  at  present,  to  merely  discredit  the 
Dorado.  As  to  his  future  plans  —  time  would 
prove  them. 

Yermah  felt,  rather  than  saw,  the  change,  but  he 

1  Profane  and  blasphemous  words  were  unknown  to  the  native 
races  in  the  Americas.  These  people  believed  that  speech  was 
given  man  to  enable  him  to  praise  his  Maker. 

To  this  day  the  Indian  is  chary  of  words  —  and  in  all  the 
relations  of  life  his  language  is  circumspect,  and  dignified.  He 
only  speaks  when  it  is  necessary,  and  rightly  has  profound  con 
tempt  for  the  human  who  talks  too  much. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  327 

was  above  indulging  a  personal  grief.  He  had 
already  consecrated  his  life  to  his  fellows,  so  that 
work  was  the  one  thing  which  absorbed  and  inter 
ested  him. 

He  saw  that  planting  must  be  confined  to  the 
southern  part  of  the  country,  since  steady  downpours 
marked  the  spring  and  early  summer  months. 

He  also  knew  it  would  require  his  best  endeavors 
to  procure  food  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Reports  from  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi  stated 
that  heavy  floods  had  prevailed  for  months,  caused 
by  preponderance  of  hot  air  blown  over  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  condensed  into  rainfall  early  in  the 
season.  The  winter  months  set  in  with  unparalleled 
rigor,  and  the  spring  found  that  whole  country  under 
one  solid  sheet  of  ice. 

Many  of  the  inhabitants  had  fled  to  the  south. 
The  exodus  to  Mexico  was  in  full  tide.  This  migra 
tion  caused  the  mysterious  race,  the  Toltecs  or  the 
Mayas,  to  leave  their  mounds  and  earthworks,  their 
canals  and  busy  centers,  their  cities  and  civilization, 
to  puzzle  the  antiquarian  in  later  ages. 

The  earth  still  moaned  and  sighed  under  the  im 
pulse  of  subterranean  fire,  while  the  surface  froze 
stiff  in  the  accumulation  of  waters  and  low  tempera 
ture.  Man,  ever  the  creature  of  circumstance,  was 
still  panic-stricken,  oppressed  by  dismal  forebodings, 
all  his  settled  faiths  rudely  shaken,  and  he  an  easy 
prey  to  cunning  and  unscrupulous  design. 

Setos  flattered  himself  that  he  managed  the  situa 
tion  very  cleverly  when  he  said  to  every  one  whom 
he  met: 

"  It  is  rumored  that  our  Grand  Servitor  intends 
to  marry.  Traditional  law  and  custom  forbid  his 


328  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

remaining  in  supreme  control  more  than  a  year  with 
out  giving  promise  of  succession." 

To  which  his  auditor  invariably  gave  tongue  with 
speculation  as  upon  whom  his  choice  could  fall. 

"  Property  and  descent  are  traced  through  the 
female  side;  therefore,  he  should  espouse  Ildiko," 
said  the  high-priest  Imos.  "  It  is  better  that  pure 
Atlantian  blood  should  be  continued  in  power." 

Flattering  things  were  said  to,  and  of,  Ildiko,  un 
til  her  silly  head  was  in  a  whirl,  and  she  began  to 
take  on  grand  airs  of  importance.  She  snubbed  Al- 
camayn  unmercifully,  not  because  she  really  disliked 
him,  but  —  to  be  perverse,  especially  when  her 
woman's  wit  discovered  that  Rahula  cherished  hopes 
of  supplanting  her  in  her  father's  affection. 

Like  many  a  child  since,  she  had  no  intention  of 
cheering  her  father's  declining  years;  nor  was  she 
unselfish  enough  to  allow  any  one  else  to  do  so. 

She  would  marry,  of  course,  and  would  place  her 
self  to  the  best  possible  advantage,  thanks  to  her 
father's  influence  and  position;  but  gratitude  to  him 
or  to  any  one  else  was  entirely  foreign  to  her  thoughts. 
She  secretly  hated  Rahula,  because  the  latter  had 
been  like  a  mother  to  her;  and  it  gave  her  keen 
delight  to  thwart  Rahula's  scheme  to  marry  her  to 
Alcamayn.  She  was  not  only  dazzled  by  the  pros 
pect  of  occupying  laqua,  but  she  knew  that  this  would 
disappoint  and  hurt  a  woman  who  had  unwittingly 
aroused  an  unwarranted  but  common  phase  of 
jealousy. 

As  is  often  the  case,  Yermah,  the  most  interested 
man  of  them  all,  was  the  last  to  hear  the  gossip.  At 
first  he  took  no  notice.  But  one  day  Imos  asked 
him  pointedly : 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  329 

"  Wilt  thou  comply  with  the  demands  of  the  peo 
ple?" 

"  If  thou  wilt  name  thy  wish,  I  shall  answer  thee 
truly,"  responded  Yermah. 

It  was  in  the  Temple  of  the  Sun,  near  the  noon 
hour,  and  the  audience  chamber  was  crowded,  Yer 
mah  presiding. 

"  If  thou  art  to  be  the  head  of  this  commonwealth, 
a  helpmeet  becomes  thy  station.  Ildiko,  daughter 
of  Setos,  thy  councilor,  is  of  pure  blood  and  comely. 
Her  heirs  would  be  acceptable  as  future  rulers." 

Yermah  seemed  to  shrivel  and  grow  small  as  the 
words  reached  him.  He  unconsciously  assumed  an 
attitude  of  defense,  mechanically  passed  his  hand 
over  his  ashen  face,  and  said  in  a  low  voice : 

"  Let  this  honor  in  service  pass  me  by  1  " 

Instantly  there  was  tremendous  excitement,  and 
Setos's  small  pig-eyes  emitted  a  dangerous  gleam. 

"  So  he  refuses  the  only  chance  he  has  to  reign  in 
peace.  So  be  it !  I  —  Setos  —  will  make  it  cost 
him  his  position." 

In  the  hubbub  and  confusion,  Yermah  beckoned 
to  Orondo,  and  the  two  stood  in  earnest  converse  for 
a  few  moments.  Finally,  the  Dorado  held  up  his 
hand  for  silence. 

"  By  the  will  of  our  beloved  Akaza,  I  am  made 
his  successor  as  hierophant  in  the  exalted  Brother 
hood.  The  vow  of  my  boyhood  still  binds  me,  and 
my  heart  lies  buried  in  the  lava-flow  of  the  north. 
My  fellows  and  brothers,  will  ye  not  release  me  from 
civic  service?  The  dead  have  laid  imperative  com 
mands  upon  me." 

"  It  is  our  duty  to  obey  the  '  Voice  of  the  Silence,'  ' 
quickly  responded  Imos,  knowing  that  reverence  for 


330  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  dead,  and  for  their  commands  and  wishes,  was 
an  article  of  faith  with  the  Azes}  and  one  which 
Atlantian  rulers  had  always  respected. 

"  He  will  be  hierophant  only,"  muttered  Setos. 
"Good!  His  order  forbids  resort  to  force,  and  in 
case  of  necessity  he  can  be  expelled.  It  is  well  to 
resign  what  thou  art  in  imminent  danger  of  losing." 

There  was  an  angry  scowl  on  Setos's  red  face,  and 
his  lips  curled  scornfully. 

Yermah  stood  with  bowed  head,  and  when  he  at 
tempted  to  speak  his  voice  was  shaken  with  emotion. 

"  A  sense  of  gratitude  unmans  me !  I  have  no 
wish  but  to  serve  ye  well.  In  resigning  civic  honors 
I  desire  to  name  Orondo  as  my  successor." 

The  Dorado  turned  to  Orondo,  and  giving  him 
his  hand,  drew  him  forward,  as  his  astonished 
auditors  recovered  their  presence  of  mind  and  began 
to  cheer.  Both  men,  deadly  pale,  faced  about  side 
by  side  and  bowed  gravely. 

"  The  fair  and  gentle  Ildiko  will  find  a  good  hus 
band  in  Orondo,  and  the  Azes  a  Servitor  worthy  of 
their  fullest  confidence.  Will  ye  have  it  so?" 

"Haillel  Haille!  Haille!"  The  well-known 
shout  of  triumph  had  something  of  the  heartiness 
of  the  olden  times. 

"Does  this  arrangement  please  thee,  Setos?" 
asked  Yermah,  kindly,  taking  the  hand  of  Setos  in 
both  his  own,  and  reading  his  countenance  closely. 

"  Since  thou  wilt  no  longer  serve  —  Orondo  is  my 
second  choice,"  stammered  Setos,  politely,  if  not  sin 
cerely. 

"And  wilt  thou  have  me  for  thy  son?"  asked 
Orondo,  simply,  but  without  a  shade  of  animation. 

The  substitution  of  men  was  not  so  rapid  as  to 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  331 

prevent  Setos  from  realizing  the  advantage  to  him 
self;  so  he  answered  readily  and  with  heartiness: 

"  No  man  could  desire  a  better  or  a  more  worthy 
son.  Come  with  me  to  Ildiko." 

There  were  several  degrees  of  dignity  added  to 
Setos  as  he  linked  his  arm  in  Orondo's  and  passed 
out  of  the  building. 

The  crowd  manifested  some  curiosity,  which  Setos 
noted  out  of  the  corner  of  his  eye  as  they  went  by. 
If  he  had  failed  to  win  all  he  had  played  for,  he  had 
at  least  accomplished  something. 

Gratified  ambition  sent  a  glow  of  satisfaction 
through  Setos  which  made  him  feel  quite  amiable 
toward  Yermah,  despite  his  fixed  determination  to 
either  rule  or  ruin  the  Dorado  —  beloved  of  the 
people. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-THREE 

FOR  REASONS  OF  STATE ORONDO  ESPOUSES  ILDIKO 

THREE  months  intervened  between  the  be 
trothal  announcement,  immediately  after 
Ildiko's  consent  was  obtained,  and  the  be 
ginning  of  the  wedding  festival,  which  lasted  thirty 
days.  This  brought  the  actual  consummation  down 
to  the  time  in  October  when  the  sun  and  moon  were 
in  conjunction. 

Those  were  happy  days  for  Ildiko,  who  was  in  a 
flutter  of  excitement  from  morning  until  night  over 
the  preparation  of  her  trousseau.  Everything  neces 
sary  for  her  comfort  was  furnished  in  sets  of  twelve. 

There  were  exquisitely  ornamented  terra-cotta  jars 
provided  for  each  of  her  dresses,  which  were  placed 
in  a  row  around  the  walls  of  her  room,  much  more 
suggestive  of  tea  than  of  a  wardrobe. 

For  the  ceremony  in  the  Temple  of  Venus  there 
was  a  creation  of  vivid  yellow,  wrought  in  heavy 
bands  of  silk  embroidery  and  tawny  gold.  The  veil 
to  match  was  of  the  finest  yellow  gauze,  worked  with 
floss  and  glitter  until  it  was  like  a  cobweb  with  the 
sun  shining  through  it.  The  material  of  the  gown 
was  that  of  rare,  fine  texture  which  writers  are  always 
drawing  through  a  finger-ring. 

In  the  voluminous  skirt,  at  least  twenty  yards  of 
gossamer  silk  had  been  used,  but  the  effect  was  soft, 
clinging  and  graceful  in  the  extreme.  The  waist 

332 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  333 

was  like  an  Eton  jacket,  too  short  to  reach  the  skirt, 
and  had  half-length  sleeves.  The  substitute  for  ma 
terial  at  the  waist  line  was  a  broad  girdle  of  jewels. 
Orondo  himself  superintended  the  making  of  this 
article.  It  would  be  his  privilege  to  unclasp  it  on 
the  nuptial  night  and  hang  it  outside  the  bridal 
chamber,  as  a  pledge  of  his  wife's  honor.  It  was 
not  a  straight  band,  but  broadened  over  the  hips,  and 
was  sacred  to  Venus,  the  love  planet. 

The  second  of  the  bridal  robes  was  of  scarlet  silk, 
almost  covered  with  gold-thread  embroidery,  in  which 
precious  stones  were  skillfully  imbedded.  With  it 
was  provided  a  red  gauze  veil  edged  with  gold  fringe. 
Both  gowns  were  fashioned  alike,  except  that  the  red 
skirt  was  narrower,  and  finished  in  a  long  train 
edged  with  peacock  feathers,  which  hung  as  a  mantle 
from  the  shoulders. 

As  soon  as  the  city  was  decorated,  and  during  the 
entire  thirty  days'  preliminary  festivities,  Ildiko  wore 
simple  white,  destitute  of  ornament. 

She  did  not  appear  in  public,  except  in  going  to 
and  from  the  Temple  of  Venus,  where  she  greeted 
the  rising  sun  every  morning  and  offered  special 
prayers  on  behalf  of  her  new  duties. 

Orondo  made  similar  supplication  at  the  same  hour 
in  the  Temple  of  Mars.  Though  not  a  demon 
strative  man,  he  was  careful  to  observe  all  the  nice 
ties  of  his  position. 

When  with  Ildiko,  his  countenance  bespoke  con 
tentment;  and  at  some  of  her  witty  sallies  his  face 
would  light  up  with  a  rare  smile.  She  was  all  bustle 
and  excitement,  and  made  heavy  demands  upon  her 
bridesman,  Yermah. 

Ildiko  was  neither  resentful  nor  sensitive.     When 


334  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  Dorado  took  her  hand,  and  begged  forgiveness 
because  of  his  seeming  disloyalty,  her  sympathies 
went  out  to  him,  and  she  impulsively  told  him  that 
she  honored  his  choice.  She  loved  Keroecia  too, 
she  said,  and  hoped  that  this  mutual  affection  would 
prove  a  strong  bond  between  them. 

Setos  was  in  his  glory.  He  strutted  about  the  city 
officiously,  and  assumed  a  dictatorial  manner,  in  the 
Council  Chambers,  which  was  tolerated  in  a  good- 
natured  way.  Setos  was  also  allowed  to  indulge  him 
self  in  several  flights  of  fancy  not  strictly  in  ac 
cordance  with  facts. 

With  his  thumbs  in  his  arm-holes  and  his  conical 
hat  set  well  back  on  his  head,  he  unbosomed  himself 
to  Rahula,  whose  adroit  flattery  now  fell  upon  very 
willing  ears. 

He  was  paternal  and  patronizing  to  Alcamayn, 
who  was  galled  almost  beyond  endurance  by  what  he 
fancied  were  the  pitying  glances  of  his  fellows. 

Alcamayn  angrily  told  himself  that  he  was  not  in 
love  with  Ildiko;  but  he  was  keenly  sensible  of  the 
fact  that  a  bachelor  was  not  only  taxed  —  he  was 
looked  down  upon. 

The  jeweler  knew  that  there  was  no  chance  for 
promotion  so  long  as  he  remained  single;  but  his  own 
vanity  and  Rahula's  insidious  teaching  made  him  hold 
himself  entirely  aloof  from  alliance  with  any  but  a 
pure-blooded  Atlantian. 

His  share  in  the  preparations  was  wholly  perfunc 
tory,  a  situation  not  lost  upon  Orondo,  whose  deli 
cacy  deterred  him  from  seeking  advice  on  the  nuptial 
ring  and  girdle. 

Alcamayn  himself  was  keenly  alert  on  these  very 
points.  When  he  purposely  wandered  in  where  the 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  335 

workmen  were  putting  on  the  finishing  touches,  he  was 
so  exasperated  that  he  could  with  difficulty  restrain 
himself. 

Day  by  day  his  irritation  grew,  fanned  by  injudi 
cious  remarks,  insinuations  and  exaggerated  reports 
of  Orondo's  devotion. 

Divining  something  of  this,  Ildiko  often  inquired 
concerning  him,  and  sent  many  messages  by  Rahula. 
Now  that  she  was  having  her  own  way,  she  was  very 
amiable  to  the  other  woman.  Rahula's  sad  face, 
and  what  Ildiko  imagined  Alcamayn  must  suffer, 
added  to  her  own  high  spirits.  So  it  was  that  shal 
low-brained,  selfish  Ildiko  enjoyed  being  the  center 
of  attraction,  and  accepted  as  justly  her  due  the 
thousand  and  one  courtesies  the  time  and  situation 
showered  upon  her. 

Not  even  a  vague  suspicion  of  her  lover's  former 
attachment  crossed  her  mind. 


Northeast  from  the  center  of  Tlamco  was  the 
Temple  of  Venus,  set  apart  for  marriage  and  all 
domestic  affairs.  It  was  here  that  the  vestal  virgins 
lived,  and  taught  the  young  children.  It  was  an 
oval-shaped  structure,  with  rows  of  pillars  inside, 
supporting  a  convex-domed  roof  of  colored  glass. 
The  pillars  were  ornamented  elaborately  with  stucco, 
rainbow-tinted,  each  one  showing  a  solid  color.  The 
interstices  between  had  mirrors  with  beaten  copper 
frames  placed  over  the  glass  itself.  The  tessellated 
floor  was  of  black  marble,  the  vessels  of  exquisitely 
hammered  silver,  while  the  altars  were  of  onyx  on 
copper  bases.  Passion-flowers,  gillyflowers  and  hol 
lyhocks,  emblems  of  fecundity,  were  employed  in  the 


336  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

decorations  of  the  temple  for  the  wedding.  Ivy, 
meaning  fidelity;  grasses,  showing  submission;  helio 
trope,  for  devotion;  syringa  and  roses,  for  love,  were 
freely  intertwined  about  the  pillars  and  altars. 

On  Friday,  the  day  of  love  and  marriage,  no  blood 
was  allowed  to  be  shed  for  food. 

At  the  wedding,  the  vestments  of  Imos  and  his 
assistants  were  of  azure,  their  ornaments  of  polished 
copper,  their  head  garlands  of  white  and  red  roses, 
and  they  carried  myrtle  and  olive  branches. 

Apple-green  and  pale  rose  were  the  colors  of  the 
canopy  placed  in  the  southern  niche,  under  which  the 
ceremony  took  place.  It  was  an  open,  flaring  tri 
angle  with  a  lamp  in  the  apex,  having  the  pedestal 
of  iron,  the  joint  of  brass,  the  bowl  of  silver,  and 
the  center  of  gold.  It  had  two  arms,  composed  of 
three  metals  interlaced  in  such  a  manner  as  to  leave 
a  triple  conduit  for  oil. 

There  were  nine  wicks;  three  in  the  middle,  and 
three  in  each  arm.  The  lower  rim  of  the  pedestal 
represented  a  serpent,  while  the  globe  was  large  and 
double,  having  compartments  filled  with  colored 
waters  and  perfumed  so  that  the  air  was  cool  and 
fragrant. 

The  lamp  was  on  a  revolving  standard  of  polished 
wood,  and  at  its  base  were  three  smoking  incense- 
jars  of  burnished  bronze. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  wedding,  a  brilliant 
pageant  formed  in  front  of  Setos's  house  and  marched 
through  the  principal  streets.  It  consisted  of  beasts 
of  burden,  and  tamanes,  loaded  with  presents  for  the 
bride,  and  also  carrying  her  belongings  to  laqua. 

First  came  the  jewel  bearers,  armed  to  the  teeth, 
escorted  by  cavalrymen,  brandishing  broadswords 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  337 

and  performing  many  feats  of  horsemanship  and 
skill. 

This  was  followed  by  a  cavalcade  of  burros,  laden 
with  scented  jars  and  baskets  containing  the  trous 
seau,  which  had  kept  half  of  Tlamco  industriously 
occupied  for  three  months. 

The  presents  came  from  military,  naval  and  civil 
guilds;  from  the  priesthood,  from  the  vestals,  and 
from  the  children  and  the  aged. 

Poets  walked  in  front  of  them  reciting  odes,  and 
the  musicians  performed  special  compositions  in  honor 
of  the  occasion. 

As  soon  as  the  procession  turned  into  the  beauti 
fully  decorated  avenue  leading  to  laqua,  the  populace 
hastened  to  the  Temple  of  Venus. 

It  was  also  the  signal  for  Orondo,  with  Setos  on 
one  side  and  Hanabusa  on  the  other,  to  issue  from 
the  eastern  entrance  of  the  official  residence.  His 
warrior  dress  of  white  kid  was  rich  in  golden  bosses, 
bands  and  fringes.  Over  his  shoulders  hung  the 
green  feather  mantle  of  his  rank,  held  in  place  by 
shoulder  medallions  of  brilliants. 

On  his  head  was  a  tall  liberty  cap  of  white  kid, 
ornamented  with  gold  filigree,  and  having  three 
quetzal  feathers  in  the  apex.  He  doffed  his  head- 
covering  at  the  temple  door,  exposing  a  simple  gold 
band  over  his  hair. 

Setos  and  Hanabusa  wore  a  silver  and  green  com 
bination,  ornate  with  eagle's  feathers  and  embroidery. 
They  carried  large  bouquets  of  roses,  and  supported 
the  sword  and  shield  of  the  bridegroom. 

Behind  them,  in  single  file,  carrying  a  jeweled  lan 
tern  in  each  hand,  came  Alcamayn,  Ben  Hu  Barabe, 
Cezardis,  and  twenty-two  young  officers  of  the  high- 


338  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

est  rank,  in  full  regimentals,  followed  by  the  repre 
sentative  men  of  Tlamco,  with  the  priesthood  and 
councilors  of  state  in  the  lead. 

Their  wives  stood  in  line  in  front  of  Setos's  house, 
waiting  to  perform  the  same  service  for  Ildiko. 

"  Blessed  be  he  that  cometh !  "  shouted  the  people 
in  the  streets. 

"  Blessed  indeed  is  he !  "  responded  Orondo's  es 
cort. 

"Haille!  Haillel  Haille!"  they  shouted  to 
gether. 

Then  the  same  formula  was  repeated. 

The  first  greeting  and  exchange  brought  Ildiko  to 
the  door.  She  glanced  about  her  half-fearfully,  and 
seemed  in  need  of  Yermah's  supporting  arm. 

In  addition  to  the  yellow  robe  already  described, 
she  wore  a  mantle  of  yellow  brocaded  with  silver 
and  gold,  which  swept  the  ground  far  behind  her. 

For  the  last  time  in  her  life  would  she  be  permitted 
to  wear  her  hair  flowing,  and  its  gold  band,  an  exact 
duplicate  of  the  one  Orondo  wore,  was  the  only  orna 
ment,  save  a  crown  of  white  lilies,  attesting  her  purity 
of  heart.  Strand  after  strand  of  pearls  wound 
around  her  neck;  bangles  and  bracelets  dangled  at 
her  slender  wrists;  but  her  small  white  hands  were 
uncovered,  and  her  fingers  were  unadorned. 

Yermah  wore  pale  blue  cloth  embroidered  with 
silver  stars  and  bands,  and  a  blue  cap,  with  silver 
ornaments  and  white  plumes.  His  mantle  was  of 
plain  white  silk.  From  his  left  arm  swung  a  large 
reticule  of  silver  cloth  crusted  with  turquoise,  con 
taining  the  yellow  gauze  wedding-veil. 

Supporting  the  train  of  the  bride's  mantle  came 
Rahula,  in  a  purple  robe,  elaborately  worked  with  a 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  339 

pattern  of  leaves  in  pale  metallic  green,  outlined  in 
delicately  frosted  silver.  The  jacket  was  lined  with 
green,  and  the  undervest  was  a  mass  of  silver  and 
jewels. 

Beside  her  was  Alcyesta,  in  a  lavender  robe.  Iri 
descent  bead  embroideries  set  with  amethysts,  and 
copper  ornaments  in  quaint  symbolic  design,  such  as 
the  Monbas  were  wont  to  employ,  made  a  pleasing 
contrast  to  the  rows  of  vestals  and  priestesses  in  pure 
white. 

Two  fierce-looking  fencers  led  the  way,  followed 
by  hundreds  of  children,  who  scattered  roses  along 
the  pathway,  or  accepted  some  of  the  nuts  and  small 
cakes  given  out  by  the  bride's  orders  on  all  the  thor 
oughfares. 

A  delegation  of  priests  barred  the  entrance  and 
stopped  Orondo  on  the  threshold.  As  soon  as  Ildiko 
joined  him,  he  purchased  an  ear  of  corn  of  Setos, 
handing  him  an  eagle-quill  of  gold.  Turning  to 
Ildiko  he  asked: 

"  Dost  thou  wish  to  be  mother  of  my  household?  " 
"  Yes,"  she  answered,   and  proceeded  to  buy  a 
similar  ear  of  corn  from  Yermah,  paying  the  same 
price  for  it.     Then  she  turned  to  Orondo  and  asked : 
"  Hast  thou  the  wish  to  be  father  of  my  house 
hold?" 

"  Yes,"  he  asseverated,  solemnly.  Taking  the  ear 
of  corn  he  had  purchased,  he  handed  it  to  her,  say 
ing: 

"  Where  love  and  harmony  dwell,  I  am  master." 
Ildiko  gave  Orondo  her  purchase  as  she  replied : 
"  Where  thou  art  master,  I  am  mistress." 
They  both  began  to  twist  roses  and  myrtle  and 
olive  branches  into  a  garland  wrapped  with  gold  and 


340  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

silver  wires,  as  a  symbol  of  their  blending  lives. 
Still  weaving,  they  advanced  slowly  down  the  aisle, 
and  paused  before  the  canopy,  while  harps  and  voices 
blended  in  a  bridal  hymn. 

Setos  stood  beside  Orondo,  while  Yermah  sup 
ported  Ildiko. 

When  the  music  ceased  the  priests  and  vestals 
chanted  in  unison : 

"  We  give  thee  myriads  of  years.  Like  the  moon 
advancing  to  the  full;  like  the  sun  ascending  to  the 
heavens;  like  the  everlasting  southern  hills;  like  the 
luxuriance  of  the  fir  and  cypress  —  never  waning, 
never  failing!  —  may  such  be  thy  succeeding  lines." 

«  Om  —  ah !  Om  —  ah !  Om  —  ah !  "  mur 
mured  the  four  at  the  altar. 

"  Orondo,  servant  of  the  Most  High,"  said  Imos 
impressively,  "  art  thou  in  any  way  related  to  this 
maiden  by  ties  of  blood,  intimate  or  remote?" 

"  The  silken  cords  of  affection  are  all  that  bind 
me  here." 

"  Dost  thou  swear  this  by  the  sacred  fire  on  the 
altar  before  thee?  " 

"  I  do."     Orondo  spoke  firmly. 

When  the  high-priest  had  asked  the  same  questions 
and  received  the  same  responses  from  Ildiko,  he  con 
tinued  : 

"  Orondo,  on  thy  honor  as  a  man,  is  the  solemn 
covenant  thou  art  about  to  make  voluntary  on  thy 
part?" 

"  It  is." 

Ildiko  gave  the  same  assurance. 

Imos  handed  Orondo  the  marriage-band,  which 
was  so  large  he  could  slip  it  over  his  right  hand  and 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  341 

then  clasp  Ildiko's  easily.  It  was  a  broad  circlet  of 
silver  set  with  turquoise,  lapis  lazuli,  and  beryl. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Trinity,  I  command  thee, 
Orondo,  and  thee,  Ildiko,  to  join  right  hands  and 
seal  thy  promise  of  fidelity  with  a  kiss." 

As  they  obeyed,  Yermah,  Setos,  and  Imos  covered 
them  with  the  gauze  veil,  murmuring  blessings  in 
the  name  of  the  three  divine  attributes.  Yermah 
knelt  before  the  twain  and  said: 

"  Orondo,  my  beloved,  I  give  unto  thee  this  dam 
sel  adorned  with  jewels  and  protected  by  the  Lord 
of  Creatures." 

"  So  be  it." 

Setos  knelt  beside  Yermah  and  said  in  a  tremulous 
voice : 

"  Orondo,  beloved,  I  give  to  thee  my  only  begot 
ten,  to  be  thine  honor  and  thy  wife ;  to  keep  thy  keys 
and  share  with  thee  thy  joys  and  sorrows." 

"  Let  them  be  trampled  upon  and  confounded  who 
maliciously  endeavor  to  create  ill-will  between  us," 
answered  Orondo,  loud  enough  to  be  heard  through 
out  the  temple. 

Rahula  involuntarily  gave  Alcamayn  an  apprehen 
sive  glance. 

That  young  man  stared  straight  ahead  of  him  with 
blood-shot  eyes  and  a  dull,  half-foolish  expression. 
He  did  not  seem  to  hear  Imos,  when  he  said: 

"  By  the  power  vested  in  me,  I  unite  and  bind 
thee,  Orondo,  and  thee,  Ildiko,  one  to  the  other. 
Live  ye  in  peace." 

Lifting  their  veil  he  anointed  their  foreheads  and 
wrists  with  unguent.  Then  he  carefully  drew  a  gold 
thread  from  the  bride's  mantle  and  another  from  the 


342  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

groom's,  and  tied  them  together.     He  handed  the 
knot  to  Ildiko,  saying: 

"  Be  this  always  a  sign  of  indissoluble  union." 

Picking  up  a  sprig  of  ivy,  Setos  bound  it  across 
Orondo's  forehead,  adding: 

"  Be  this  a  similar  token  unto  thee." 

Receiving  a  cup  of  mead  from  the  hands  of  an 
assistant,  he  blessed  it,  drank  of  it,  and  passed  the 
libation  to  the  newly  married  couple. 

After  Ildiko  took  a  sip,  she  threw  the  cup  on  the 
floor,  and  as  she  did  so  every  unmarried  man  in  the 
temple  followed  her  example  by  dashing  into  pieces 
a  porcelain,  glass  or  pottery  vessel,  as  a  signal  of  re 
nunciation. 

The  bridal  party  filed  out  of  the  temple  to  the 
music  of  harps  and  flutes.  There  was  an  eager  wish 
to  witness  the  leave-taking  of  the  bride  and  bride 
groom,  "who  formally  separated  at  the  door  and 
returned  to  their  respective  homes  until  nightfall. 
Then  the  bride  would  enter  laqua  in  state,  and  the 
matrimonial  coronation  would  take  place. 

******* 

"  Impatience  lends  wings  to  my  desire,  Ildiko," 
whispered  Orondo.  "  I  long  for  thee  incessantly. 
Come  quickly." 

"  Only  this  poor  body  is  absent  from  thy  side, 
Orondo.  Thy  wish  is  but  an  echo  of  my  thought." 

"  From  meridian  to  sunset  is  a  lifetime  in  the 
history  of  love,"  said  Orondo,  as  he  glanced  at  the 
unclouded  sky  overhead.  "  Oh,  misery !  that  I  must 
leave  thee !  " 

'  Thou  art  a  flattering  and  indulgent  husband," 
responded  Ildiko,  smiling  up  into  his  face  affection 
ately. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE 

He  stood  uncovered,  and  waited  for  her  to  pass 
on;  then  he  turned  ever  and  anon  on  his  way  back  to 
laqua,  waving  his  hand  to  her,  until  Ildiko  reached 
her  father's  house. 

The  lanterns,  banners  and  flags  flapped  lazily  in 
the  breeze  or  sunned  themselves  listlessly.  There 
was  a  grand  naval  demonstration  on  the  bay,  an  ex 
change  of  shots  by  the  mangonels  in  the  forts,  and 
a  review  of  warriors  on  parade. 

The  citizens  young  and  old  made  various  sense 
less  noises  in  their  exuberance  of  spirits,  while  the 
Chief  Councilmen  went  into  session  immediately 
to  await  the  announcement  of  the  formal  resignation 
of  Yermah  and  the  taking  of  the  oath  of  office  by 
Orondo. 

It  was  not  without  a  sinking  heart  that  Yermah 
had  given  up  his  old  habits  of  life.  It  cost  him  many 
pangs  to  abandon  his  quarters;  and  for  days  he  had 
that  houseless,  homeless  feeling  inseparable  from  re 
moval  to  new  surroundings. 

Orondo  pleaded  long  and  earnestly  that  he  would 
still  reside  at  laqua.  The  Dorado  steadily  re 
fused.  He  would  content  himself  with  the  unpre 
tentious  quarters  of  Akaza  in  the  Temple  of 
Neptune. 

With  his  own  hands,  he  took  an  inventory  of  all 
things  pertaining  to  his  office,  the  jewels,  the  horses, 
trappings  and  chariots. 

He  removed  nothing  except  his  personal  effects, 
and,  as  a  wedding  present,  he  gave  Orondo  his  last 
state  mantle  —  the  one  he  had  worn  on  Keroecia's 
birthday. 

Orondo  still  had  the  garment  on  his  shoulders, 
and  would  wear  it  in  the  Hall  of  Embassadors,  when 


344  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

he  solemnly  pledged  his  life  and  sacred  honor  to  the 
service  of  the  Azes. 

Later  in  the  day,  there  was  feasting  and  rejoicing 
in  all  the  community  houses,  the  institutions  and 
barracks,  as  well  as  in  the  homes. 

Enthroned  under  a  canopy  of  scarlet,  Ildiko  sat 
out  the  afternoon,  surrounded  by  her  family  and 
friends.  It  was  her  formal  leave-taking  of  girlhood 
days,  and  her  eyes  filled  with  tears  as  she  slowly 
passed  from  one  room  to  another. 

She  yielded  to  a  fit  of  weeping  when  she  reached 
the  door  of  her  own  room,  and  saw  that  in  her  ab 
sence  it  had  been  denuded  of  all  her  possessions. 

"  Oh,  my  father !  "  she  cried,  "  is  it  possible  that 
thou  wilt  turn  me  out  of  thy  heart  as  well  as  out  of 
thy  house  ?  " 

She  threw  herself  across  the  foot  of  her  bed,  and 
sobbed  convulsively. 

Rahula  brought  her  father,  and  by  a  sign  mo 
tioned  the  others  to  leave  them.  Setos  gave  her  a 
grateful  look  as  she  closed  the  door,  but  it  was  a 
long  time  before  he  could  speak.  He  sat  motionless 
and  helpless  until  Ildiko  could  get  command  of  her 
overwrought  nerves,  and  then  he  soothed  and  quieted 
her  as  best  he  could. 

Rahula  returned  presently  with  a  sleeping  potion, 
but  the  bride  refused  to  drink  it. 

"  Let  me  remember  every  hour  of  this  day,"  she 
pleaded,  and  so  had  her  way. 

As  the  sun  went  down  the  bride  arose,  and  per 
formed  anew  her  ablutions,  and  prayed  with  fervor 
and  abandon.  Then  she  arrayed  herself  in  scarlet, 
and  wound  herself  up  in  the  voluminous  red  veil 
with  as  much  skill  and  ingenuity  as  possible,  so  that 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  345 

her  husband  might  find  it  difficult  to  see  her  face, 
since  it  was  his  task  to  unwind  it,  as  soon  as  she 
crossed  the  threshold  of  laqua. 

With  the  appearance  of  the  evening  star,  came  the 
state  chariot  drawn  by  four  spirited  bays,  ready  to 
carry  her  to  her  new  home.  The  whole  city  seemed 
to  be  alive  with  torches  and  lanterns,  which  rivaled 
the  brilliant  illumination  overhead,  as  Ildiko,  accom 
panied  by  Yermah  and  her  father,  stepped  into  the 
vehicle. 

The  populace  ran  alongside,  singing  bridal  songs 
and  shouting  good  wishes  into  her  ears.  Little  cakes, 
nuts,  and  bouquets  were  thrown  from  the  chariot  as 
souvenirs,  while  the  blare  of  trumpets  added  to  the 
general  noise  and  confusion. 

All  the  notables  of  Tlamco  were  assembled  at 
laqua  to  welcome  the  bride.  A  very  timid,  fright 
ened  little  morsel  of  humanity  she  was,  as  Orondo 
carried  her  into  the  house. 

She  had  intended  to  make  a  great  show  of  resist 
ance  when  he  attempted  to  remove  her  veil;  but  she 
was  so  dazed  that  she  lost  all  presence  of  mind,  and 
actually  helped  him. 

With  grave  sweet  tenderness,  Orondo  freed  her 
from  entanglement,  and  led  her  in  triumph  to  the 
dais  prepared  for  them,  where  for  the  next  two  hours 
they  received  congratulations. 

When  divested  of  their  mantles,  the  bride  and 
groom  led  the  dancing,  and  with  it  Ildiko's  spirits 
rose.  It  was  her  privilege  to  challenge  any  swain 
in  the  company,  and  he  was  obliged  to  follow  her 
through  the  maze  of  whirling  dancers  until  he  should 
succeed  in  capturing  the  illusive  veil  she  occasionally 
tossed  at  him. 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


As  soon  as  the  formal  change  was  danced  with 
Orondo,  she  threw  the  veil  over  Alcamayn's  shoulder. 
He  was  a  splendid  dancer,  and  she  knew  that  he 
would  give  her  ample  opportunity  to  display  her  own 
skill. 

Round  and  round  they  went  —  he  in  hot  pursuit, 
she  alert  to  provoke  and  yet  escape  him. 

At  last,  panting  with  exertion,  she  suffered  him  to 
touch  the  gauze,  and  then  the  dancers  rushed  away 
to  get  something  to  drink  and  to  recover  their  breath. 

No  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  over-indul 
gence  in  the  use  of  the  liquids,  because  it  was  con 
sidered  a  crime  punishable  with  death  if  any  one 
came  to  harm  through  excess  of  this  kind. 

The  high-priest,  Imos,  first  proposed  and  drank 
the  health  of  the  bride  and  groom.  Then  came 
Hanabusa,  who  did  the  same  for  the  navy;  Setos 
performed  a  similar  office  for  the  civil  authorities; 
Ben  Hu  Barabe,  for  the  lost  and  loved  ones;  Cezar- 
dis,  for  the  stranger  within  the  gates;  after  which 
friends  of  each  saluted  and  offered  a  libation  to  their 
future. 

Abstemious  by  nature,  Orondo  did  little  more  than 
touch  the  various  liquors  with  his  lips,  but  Ildiko 
quenched  thirst  freely,  and  soon  the  heat  and  excite 
ment  began  to  tell  on  her. 


Nothing  escaped  the  eagle  eye  of  Alcamayn. 

Ildiko  had  sought  to  appease  him  by  a  show  of 
preference  in  selecting  him  to  dance,  but  he  resented 
it  as  a  mean  attempt  on  her  part  to  parade  his  hu 
miliation.  Before  coming  into  the  ballroom,  he  had 
taken  a  copious  drink  of  hemp  and  opium,  and  had 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  347 

purposely  selected  the  wine  of  maguey  (mescal)  for 
his  toast. 

Now  this  fiery  liquid  mounted  to  his  infuriated 
brain,  and  he  was  positive  that  every  one  in  the  room 
was  thinking  how  badly  he  had  been  treated,  and 
secretly  deriding  him  for  not  seeking  revenge. — 
Revenge !  That  was  it  1  But  he  had  come  pre 
pared. 

Red  and  white  lines  mingled  with  the  pockmarks, 
and  his  misshapen  body  seemed  to  writhe  like  a 
snake  under  the  goad  of  his  malicious  thoughts. 

He  was  growing  noisy  and  boisterous ;  so  much  so 
that  his  companions  tried  to  prevent  him  from  ap 
proaching  the  bride,  but  he  angrily  refused  to  heed 
them. 

"  Come  on!  "  he  loudly  proclaimed.  "  She  is  a 
discarded  love  of  mine,  who  still  adores  me.  Come 
on,  and  I  will  prove  her!  She  shall  give  me  her 
wedding  ring  —  the  one  Orondo  made  with  his  own 
hands!" 

Ben  Hu  Barabe,  Hanabusa,  Yermah  and  Cezardis 
closed  in  around  him,  but  he  broke  away  from  their 
restraint  and  boldly  bantered  Ildiko  for  an  exchange 
of  rings.  He  had  the  face  of  a  fiend,  as  he  said: 

"  Wilt  thou  not,  for  old  times'  sake,  give  me  one 
of  thy  little  rings  in  return  for  one  of  mine?  Choose 
among  these,"  he  continued,  holding  up  a  hand 
loaded  with  beautiful  gems,  quaintly  set. 

She  looked  at  him  unsteadily,  simpered  foolishly 
and  was  about  to  make  some  maudlin  reply,  when 
Orondo,  white  with  anger,  whispered  to  her : 

"  Make  the  exchange  quickly.  Thou  art  under 
observation," 

Startled  by  his  tone,  and  only  half-comprehending 


348  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  situation,  Ildiko  slipped  off  her  wedding  ring,  a 
flat  silver  band  covered  with  an  intricate  gold  inter 
laced  filigree.  Without  looking  at  it,  she  handed  it 
to  Alcamayn,  receiving  from  him  a  diamond  mar 
quise  for  her  little  finger. 

"  What  did  I  tell  thee !  "  cried  the  hunchback 
triumphantly.  "  Thou  knowest  the  pledge  that  goes 
with  this?  Poor  Orondo!  I  envy  thee  not!  " 

Alcamayn  turned  with  a  sneer  on  his  ugly  face, 
just  as  Orondo,  who  had  risen,  made  a  pass  at  him 
with  his  sword.  The  weapon  went  wide  of  its  mark, 
but  the  outraged  husband  lurched  forward,  and  fell 
heavily  to  the  floor,  before  the  horrified  spectators 
could  offer  assistance. 

Yermah  raised  the  fallen  head,  and  as  he  did  so 
blood  spurted  from  the  half-open  mouth.  Orondo 
groaned  and  shivered.  His  breath  came  in  one  ster 
torous  gasp,  and  all  was  still. 

"  It  is  death !  "  cried  Yermah,  in  alarm,  "  death, 
sudden  and  terrible!  My  poor  friend!"  he  re 
peated,  as  Setos  leaned  over  and  peered  into  the 
ashen  countenance.  Hanabusa  hustled  Alcamayn 
roughly,  but  held  him  in  a  viselike  grip. 

"  Thou  art  a  murderer,"  he  exclaimed,  "  and  must 
answer  well  for  this !  Thou  art  my  prisoner !  " 

The  high-priest,  Imos,  assisted  Yermah  to  lift  the 
dead  man,  and  Setos  stood  near  Ildiko. 

The  bride  was  still  toying  with  Alcamayn's  ring, 
and  giggling  hideously  to  herself,  utterly  unconscious 
of  the  tragedy  being  enacted  before  her. 

Rahula  fluttered  between  the  two  principals.  She 
could  not  comprehend  what  had  happened,  and  began 
to  shriek  hysterically  when  iron  bands  were  placed  on 
Alcamayn's  neck  and  wrists. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  349 

The  panic-stricken  guests  departed  hurriedly,  while 
warriors  surrounded  the  house,  and  no  one  was 
allowed  to  enter  under  any  pretext  whatever. 

All  eye-witnesses  were  put  under  oath,  and  an 
armed  guard  soon  filled  the  room. 

Ildiko  was  kept  under  surveillance,  and  Setos  found 
his  movements  closely  watched. 

The  news  went  through  the  city  like  wild-fire,  and 
the  excitement  kept  the  streets  alive  all  night,  while 
the  death-watchers  sat  with  the  linen-swathed  body 
of  Orondo. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-FOUR 

THE  TRIBUNALS  OF  GOD  DEAL  WITH  ALCAMAYN 

THE  "  Tribunals  of  God,"  as  the  courts  of 
justice  were  called,  convened  in  the  Temple 
of  Mars,  situated  northwest  from  the  center 
of  the  city. 

It  was  here  that  the  highest  courts  assembled  four 
times  a  year  to  hear  and  to  judge  the  most  im 
portant  criminal  cases. 

There  were  twelve  judges  and  eighty  jurors,  who 
were  seated  in  a  semi-circle  facing  the  south,  where 
sapphire  tablets  in  gold  plates  set  forth  the  ten  great 
laws  of  the  land.  In  front  of  them  were  two  blocks 
of  stone,  on  which  the  accuser  and  the  accused  stood. 
Outside  this  were  seats  for  the  jurisconsults,  hedged 
in  by  a^wall  of  solid  masonry,  always  guarded. 

The  building  itself  was  square,  with  each  corner 
exactly  on  a  cardinal  point,  and  finished  with  square 
towers,  from  the  tops  of  which  the  decisions  were 
announced  at  sunset. 

The  size  of  the  temple  was  one  three-hundred- 
thousandths  of  the  diameter  of  Mars. 

Outside  the  walled  enclosure  were  quarters  for  the 
jurisconsults  and  their  families,  also  for  the  students 
and  the  instructors.  A  long  subterranean  passage, 
dimly  lighted,  led  to  the  chambers  for  solitary  con 
finement,  and  it  was  from  the  arches  overhead  that 
criminals  under  death-sentence  were  executed,  by  be 
ing  hung  by  the  heels. 

350 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  351 

Dull  gray  walls,  ceilings  and  floors  greeted  the 
eye  everywhere,  while  leather  and  iron  fittings  added 
to  the  gloom  and  depression.  Over  the  door  of  the 
main  entrance  was  the  inscription : 

"  THE  WISE  EMPLOYMENT  OF  PUNISHMENT  IS 
THE  BEST  MEANS  OF  TEACHING  THE  LOWER  ANI 
MALS  :  MAN  LEARNS  ONLY  BY  EXPERIENCE,  WHICH 
IS  A  VARIED  FORM  OF  PUNISHMENT." 

The  awning  over  the  head  of  the  presiding  judge 
was  a  splendid  woolen  tapestry,  representing  the 
"  Judgment  of  Hirach,"  and  underneath  was  the  in 
scription  : 

"THE  MISFORTUNE  OF  THE  CRIMINAL  is  THAT 

HE   MAKES   A   BAD   BARGAIN:      HE   GIVES    SO   MUCH 
FOR  SO  LITTLE." 

******* 

As  hierophant  and  Past  Grand  Servitor,  it  was 
Yermah's  duty  to  preside  at  Alcamayn's  trial.  His 
official  robe  for  this  occasion  was  flame-colored,  with 
belt,  bracelet,  and  thumb-ring  of  iron  set  with  ame 
thysts,  while  on  his  head  was  a  skeletonized  iron 
crown. 

The  extreme  gravity  of  the  case  hastened  the  pro 
ceedings,  which  were  concluded  on  the  following 
Tuesday  —  Mar's  day.  In  ordinary  circumstances 
it  would  have  been  considered  a  monstrous  thing  to 
appeal  with  such  haste  to  an  extraordinary  tribunal; 
but  the  diversity  of  frictional  causes  underlying  the 
main  issue  made  it  expedient  to  act  with  vigor  and 
promptitude. 

The  people  themselves  claimed  the  right  to  punish 


352  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

crimes  of  peculiar  gravity  or  of  exalted  personages. 
Since  the  action  pertained  to  their  Servitor,  they  were 
the  ones  most  grievously  wronged,  and  they  clamored 
loudly  for  the  life-blood  of  the  jeweler. 

Alcamayn's  life  should  be  forfeited  to  the  state 
because  of  high  treason,  inasmuch  as  he  had  made 
it  impossible  to  maintain  traditional  relations  with 
other  nations,  by  removing  the  only  man  of  conse 
crated  blood  capable  of  carrying  out  the  solemn  cov 
enants. 

It  was  Hanabusa's  duty,  as  accuser,  to  present  the 
findings  of  this  tribunal  to  Yermah  for  final  consid 
eration. 

The  high-priest,  Imos,  received  similar  instruction 
later  in  the  day,  when  the  warrior-priests,  without 
a  dissenting  voice,  found  Alcamayn  guilty  of  sin 
against  the  Holy  Pneuma,1  because  by  curtailing 
Orondo's  physical  life,  he  had  cut  the  ego's  earth 
experience  short,  thus  dooming  his  victim  to  early 
reincarnation.  Death,  incurring  a  similar  fate,  was 
but  just  retribution. 

Setos  must  stand  as  an  accuser  when  the  final  trial 
began.  In  his  own  selfish  way,  he  was  attached  to 
Ildiko;  but  he  could  have  killed  her  with  his  own 
hands  for  having  placed  him  in  such  a  difficult  posi 
tion.  He  had  no  pity  for  her  blighted  prospects. 

The  father  was  enraged  against  the  daughter,  be 
cause  he  knew  that  no  man  would  offer  her  marriage 
again  —  that  she  must  live  in  perpetual  disgrace. 

Pity  her?  Not  he !  Had  she  not  dashed  his  am 
bitions  at  the  very  moment  of  fulfillment?  Was  his 
incipient  greatness  always  to  be  subservient  to  infe- 

1  The  Breath  of  Life. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  353 

riors?     Was  he  never  to  have  the  opportunity  to 
show  what  was  in  his  heart? 


Poor  Ildiko!  Frivolous  feather-brain  that  she 
was,  many  a  sympathizing  glance  fell  upon  the  closed 
windows  of  her  bridal  chamber.  She  was  not  al 
lowed  to  return  home  again.  So  in  hideous  mockery 
she  paced  the  floor  of  this  room,  sick  to  death  of  its 
luxury,  and  hating  the  sight  of  her  wedding  finery. 

Yermah  found  her  lying  prostrate,  twisting  her 
hands  in  and  out  of  her  disheveled  hair;  and  when  he 
gently  raised  her  and  spoke  kindly  to  her,  she  broke 
into  a  fit  of  hysterical  laughter,  infinitely  sadder  than 
tears.  She  had  the  curses  of  her  father  still  ringing 
in  her  ears,  and  remorse  held  such  carnival  that 
blows  would  have  been  easier  to  bear. 

"  Beat,  curse  and  abuse  me,  Yermah,  or  I  shall  go 
raving  mad!  Don't  even  look  at  me  kindly!  I 
cannot  endure  it !  " 

Yermah  feigned  not  to  hear  her. 

"  Where  is  Rahula  ?  "  he  asked  in  an  ordinary 
tone.  "Hast  thou  seen  her?" 

"  No.     She  must  be  with  Alcamayn." 

"  That  were  not  possible.  He  is  in  solitary  con 
finement,  and  is  allowed  to  see  no  one.  She  is  prob 
ably  occupied  with  his  defense." 

"  Dost  thou  think  there  is  any  hope  for  him?  I 
have  loved  him  from  early  childhood  —  more  than 
I  did  Orondo,"  she  said  simply.  "  Canst  thou  not 
plead  for  him?  " 

Even  with  tear-stained,  grief-distorted  face,  Ildiko 
was  attractive  and  winning. 

"  All  that  is  possible  will  I  gladly  do,  for  both 
thy  sakes." 


354  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  Dorado  talked  long  and  earnestly  with  her, 
knowing  that  words  would  be  a  harmless  safety- 
valve  for  her  tortured  mind,  and  when  he  left  her 
she  was  comparatively  calm. 

Yermah  was  as  good  as  his  word.  In  the  Tem 
ple  of  the  Sun,  on  the  following  day,  he  made  an 
eloquent  plea  for  compensation  for  Ildiko,  since 
Alcamayn  had  stolen  away  her  senses  by  drugging 
the  wine  she  drank  in  honor  of  the  state.  The  coun 
cilors  by  vote  exculpated  her  from  all  blame  in 
Orondo's  death,  and  allowed  her  the  living  usually 
given  the  widow  of  a  Grand  Servitor.  It  was  a 
foregone  conclusion  that  they  would  fix  the  death 
penalty  on  Alcamayn  for  depriving  the  Azes  of  their 
rightful  ruler. 

The  unit  of  ancient  society  was  the  community  or 
gens;  of  modern  society,  the  individual.  Since  the 
first  ten  great  laws  were  compiled  and  graven  on 
tablets  of  stone,  there  have  been  but  two  forms  of 
civilization.  One  exemplifies  the  principles  of 
brotherhood;  the  other,  crystallizes  around  individ 
ualism.  Both  ideals  have  had  many  variations  and 
degrees  of  success  in  racial  and  national  expression. 

The  Egyptians  thought  their  laws  were  given  them 
by  Menes,  the  Greek  Hermes;  the  Hindus  believed 
that  Menes  received  his  laws  direct  from  Krishna. 

The  Lacedaemonians  claimed  that  Apollyon  in 
spired  Lycurgus  to  write  them  wise  and  just  laws 
for  their  guidance. 

Many  branches  of  the  Aryan  race  look  to 
Zoroaster  as  the  man  to  whom  the  Good  Spirit  com 
municates  the  first  rules  of  government. 

The  Toltecs  say  it  was  Mexi ;  the  Quiches  ascribe 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  355 

it  to  Votan;  while,  through  the  Jews,  we  claim 
Moses  as  the  great  law-giver. 

But  from  whatever  source,  the  principal  rules  are 
the  same.  In  none  is  property  held  to  be  of  greater 
value  than  human  life.  The  precepts  of  Chris 
tianity  do  not  contradict  this  teaching,  but  actual 
practice  is  often  quite  another  matter. 

The  legislation  known  as  labor  laws  would  be 
difficult  to  explain  were  precept  and  practical  Chris 
tian  civilization  the  same  thing. 

The  first  step  inspired  by  selfishness  was  to  sub 
stitute  the  family  for  the  tribe,  making  it  a  cor 
poration  sole,  so  that  co-ownership  was  the  original 
law  of  property.1 

In  Yermah's  day,  no  one  could  forfeit  or  transfer 
his  rights,  and  all  holdings  went  back  to  the  com 
munity  at  death.  Personal  property  was  interred 
with  the  body,  in  order  to  destroy  the  magnetic  at 
traction  which  would  still  hold  the  astral  man  to  the 
earth,  especially  to  his  familiar  haunts. 

There  was  no  law  of  crimes,  no  criminal  juris 
prudence  such  as  we  have  to-day.  But  the  com 
munity  had  the  right  to  compel  the  wrong-doer  to 
compound  for  injuries  inflicted.  The  state  under 
took  to  mete  out  punishment  the  same  as  an  indi 
vidual  would  do  in  similar  circumstances. 

When  speedily  caught,  a  criminal  was  sure  to 
suffer  severely.  If  apprehended  a  year  later,  the 
penalty  was  much  lighter  as  the  fictitious  anger  of 
the  state  was  supposed  to  be  cooler. 

Towers  of  Refuge  were  not  only  common  to  Asia, 

1  Co-ownership  of  property  necessitated  the  institution  of  civil 
marriage,  in  order  to  define  inheritance. 


356  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

but  were  found  all  over  the  Americas  and  the  accused 
was  immune  when  once  inside  its  sacred  walls. 

The  trial  of  Alcamayn  was  a  proceeding  wholly 
extraordinary,  irregular  and  independent  of  set  rules 
and  fixed  conditions.  Yermah  sat  with  the  Council 
of  State,  and  was  deputed  by  them  to  represent  the 
civic  interests  in  the  final  judgment. 

Equity  was  supposed  to  flow  from  the  conscience 
of  the  Servitor.  He,  alone,  could  pronounce  the 
death  sentence,  after  the  judges  and  jurors  had  passed 
upon  the  case. 

Yermah  asked  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  the  civil  chief  and 
law-giver  of  the  Monbas,  to  personate  him  in  the 
commonwealth.  The  four  preliminary  trials  were 
before  the  assembly  of  the  tribes,  represented  by 
Ben  Hu  Barabe;  the  tribunal  of  God,  represented 
by  Imos;  the  assembly  of  one  hundred,  represented 
by  Setos;  and  the  laws  of  nations,  represented  by 
Hanabusa. 

These  men  were  the  four  accusers,  who  appeared 
before  Yermah  and  demanded  the  forfeit  of  Alca- 
mayn's  life,  when,  at  sunrise,  the  final  sitting  began. 

In  addition  to  the  twelve  judges  and  eighty 
jurors,  there  were  as  many  more  students,  who  stood 
behind  their  elders,  and  in  this  way  learned  to  prac 
tice  in  the  courts. 

******* 

With  a  thin  iron  collar  around  his  neck,  to  which 
three  chains  were  attached,  held  by  a  soldier  on  each 
side  and  one  behind,  Alcamayn  was  led  before  the 
Tribunal. 

He  was  dressed  in  black,  with  a  light  weight  iron 
crown  on  his  head  shaped  like  an  inverted  penta 
gram. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  357 

The  high-priest,  Imos,  preceded  Alcamayn,  carry 
ing  a  rod  of  iron  in  his  hand.  Stationing  himself  at 
the  left  of  the  prisoner,  the  high-priest  waited  Yer- 
mah's  question: 

"  Why  comest  thou  here,  Imos?  " 

"  To  claim  the  life  of  this  man,"  touching  Alca 
mayn  with  the  rod,  then  laying  hold  of  him. 

The  prisoner  made  a  show  of  resistance,  until 
Yermah  bade  them  relax  their  hold. 

"  Alcamayn,  what  means  thy  interference?  " 

"  I  crave  the  right  to  establish  and  prove  my 
innocence,"  answered  the  accused  in  an  unsteady 
voice. 

"  May  the  life  within  me  be  forfeited,  if  there 
be  no  justice  in  my  cause."  Imos  spoke  with  decisive 
emphasis. 

"If  this  man  merit  not  death,  take  thou  vengeance 
on  me,"  said  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  standing  beside  Imos. 

"  The  same  dread  fate  await  me  too,  if  there  be 
reason  for  merciful  judgment  here."  Hanabusa 
spoke  with  deliberation,  as  he  joined  the  other  ac 
cusers. 

"Woe  is  me!"  wailed  Setos,  unsteadily.  "Yet 
I  and  all  my  posterity  would  be  forever  accursed  if 
we  hindered  justice.  I  am  here  to  claim  the  life  of 
Alcamayn,  and  to  stake  my  own  on  the  demand." 

He  did  not  look  at  the  jeweler,  and  it  seemed  dif 
ficult  for  him  to  stand,  while  the  accused  said  in  a 
low  voice: 

"  May  I  be  early  deprived  of  physical  life  in  four 
succeeding  incarnations,  if  I  be  not  innocent  of  this 
charge." 

'  Thou  standest  in  a  perilous  position,  Alcamayn,*' 
cautioned  Yermah.     "  Weigh  thy  words  well  I  " 


358  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

"  Had  my  days  four  times  their  natural  span,  I 
should  risk  them  without  fear." 

There  was  no  bravado  in  Alcamayn's  tone  or  man 
ner. 

He  feared  the  worst,  and  there  was  a  hungry,  des 
perate  expectancy  in  every  glance.  The  days  had 
gone  over  his  head  like  years. 

Stripped  of  all  finery  and  with  close  cropped  hair, 
his  bat-wing  ears  stood  out  from  his  head.  The 
hawk  face,  clean-shaven,  showed  the  cunning  and 
courage  of  a  cornered  rat.  The  hunchback's  supreme 
egotism  stood  him  in  good  stead,  but  the  inner  man 
had  no  compunction  for  what  he  had  done.  He  was 
appalled  at  the  unexpected  death  of  Orondo,  never 
having  counted  on  such  an  outcome. 

But  what  criminal  ever  does  look  forward  to  being 
caught  and  overwhelmed  with  his  own  guilt? 

Alcamayn  had  succeeded  in  getting  even  with  his 
tormentors,  and  he  was  secretly  glad  of  it.  If  it  had 
only  been  Ildiko  who  had  died  instead  of  Orondo, 
he  would  have  been  entirely  satisfied;  and,  as  it  was, 
persuaded  himself  that  he  was  innocent  of  any  wrong 
doing. 

He  hated  Orondo,  and  the  jilted  man  deemed  that 
justifiable  since  his  rival's  success  had  been  a  prime 
cause  of  humiliation. 

The  prisoner  was  seated  on  a  revolving  stool, 
and  made  to  face  each  judge  and  juror  while  the 
questions  and  responses  were  being  given. 

One  of  the  most  damaging  circumstances  against 
Alcamayn  was  his  own  soberness  compared  with 
Ildiko's  sudden  intoxication.  He  reluctantly  ad 
mitted  that  he  had  deliberately  gone  to  the  wedding 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  359 

meditating  revenge,  and  had  carefully  carried  it  out 
at  the  first  opportunity. 

The  accused  did  not  deny  that  he  was  actuated 
by  a  petty,  mean  jealousy,  although  he  scorned  the 
insinuation  of  loving  Ildiko.  His  deformity  told 
against  him  greatly,  because  of  the  belief  that  the 
body  was  but  an  outward  expression  of  the  inner  man. 

Each  of  the  four  accusers  took  turn  in  examining 
the  testimony,  analyzing  the  motives,  inquiring 
minutely  into  extenuating  circumstances;  and  the 
judges  and  jurors  were  equally  divided  for  and 
against. 

The  arguments  continued  all  day,  but  at  sundown 
the  decision  had  been  reached. 

There  was  no  prerogative  of  pardon.  The  com 
monwealth  had  the  right  to  interfere  directly  and  by 
isolated  acts,  to  avenge  itself  on  the  author  of  the 
evil  which  it  had  suffered. 

"  Alcamayn,  hast  thou  aught  to  say  which  can 
delay  judgment  about  to  be  meted  out  to  thee?  " 

Yermah  spoke  perfunctorily. 

The  strain  was  telling  on  them  all;  and  Alcamayn, 
more  dead  than  alive,  answered  mechanically: 

"  I  have  none." 

"  Alcamayn,  face  thy  accusers." 

The  condemned  man  dragged  himself  to  his  feet, 
and  stared  doggedly  ahead  of  him. 

"  Alcamayn,  never  more  canst  thou  be  heard  in 
thine  own  behalf.  I  charge  thee,  as  death  must 
soon  be  thy  portion,  speak  the  truth.  Art  thou 
guilty?" 

The  stillness  was  intense. 

Every  man  waited  to  see  if  the  convicted  man 


360  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

would  imperil  his  immortal  soul  by  withholding  the 
truth. 

The  prisoner  felt  this.  He  knew  what  a  shock 
he  could  give  them,  and  the  leading  passion  being 
strong  upon  him,  he  answered  defiantly : 

"  I  am  innocent  I  " 

Trouble  had  not  softened  him.  On  the  contrary, 
he  had  grown  bitter  and  vindictive  as  he  realized  his 
desperate  straits. 

Yermah  picked  up  an  iron-headed  arrow,  as  the 
guard  brought  the  prisoner  forward.  Leaning 
toward  him,  he  drew  a  circle  over  Alcamayn's  heart, 
and  then  made  a  square  around  it  with  the  arrow. 

This  was  the  death  sentence. 

"  May  the  Father  of  Justice  and  Mercy  claim  the 
divine  within  thee,  Alcamayn  I  " 

The  doomed  man  merely  bowed  his  head. 

"  Let  Saturn's  day  witness  the  carrying  out  of  this 
decree.  Away  with  him  I  " 

Yermah  felt  the  words  more  keenly  than  the  man 
to  whom  he  had  spoken  them.  Alcamayn's  thin 
upper  lip  curled  in  a  sardonic  smile,  which  did  not 
leave  his  face  while  the  badge  of  death,  a  square  of 
sheet  iron  with  a  white  enamel  circle  in  the  center, 
was  being  fastened  to  his  breast. 

The  condemned  man  was  kept  in  solitary  confine 
ment.  Once  the  door  of  his  cell  closed  upon  him, 
he  gave  way  to  a  frenzy  of  despair,  butting  his  head 
against  the  wall  with  so  much  violence  that  the 
guards  were  obliged  to  tie  him  down  to  the  floor. 

Frantic  hysteria  closed  his  throat,  and  threatened 
strangulation,  and  when  his  teeth  were  pried  open, 
he  shut  them  on  his  tongue  with  such  force  as  to 
nearly  sever  the  end. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  361 

Shamans  worked  with  him  all  night,  but  nothing 
save  physical  exhaustion  quieted  him.  Under  sen 
tence  of  death,  the  miserable  man  was  allowed  to  re 
ceive  any  consolation  possible. 

There  were  no  restrictions  placed  upon  the  visit 
of  friends,  the  only  regulation  being  a  complete  and 
thorough  search  before  and  after  the  visit  of  both 
prisoner  and  caller. 

Long  before  light,  came  Rahula.  She  was  nearly 
distracted  by  Alcamayn's  shrieks  and  groans,  but 
tried  to  show  a  brave  face.  The  prisoner  was  sink 
ing  into  a  drowse,  and  Rahula  did  not  know  whether 
he  recognized  her  or  not.  She  had  brought  him 
some  ripe  persimmons,  and  occupied  herself  trying 
to  make  him  comfortable. 

To  her  surprise  he  awoke  hungry,  and  did  full 
justice  to  the  appetizing  meal  prepared  for  him. 
There  was  no  objection  to  her  providing  the  food, 
but  the  authorities  insisted  that  she  should  partake  of 
it  freely.  So  it  happened  that  she  furnished  and  ate 
all  meals  with  him. 

Many  and  long  were  the  confidential  talks  these 
two  had  together,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion 
Rahula  committed  to  picture-writing  things  that  were 
told  her. 

Nothing  escaped  her  tightly  closed  lips,  nor  did 
she  utter  one  word  of  complaint.  She  was  surly 
and  defiant  when  questioned,  but  made  no  resistance 
at  the  last  moment. 

On  Friday  morning,  Ildiko,  pale  and  agitated, 
knocked  timidly  at  the  outer  gate,  and  begged  to  see 
Alcamayn.  He  received  her  quietly,  but  there  was 
not  a  shade  of  pity  for  her  broken  fortunes. 

The  widow's  face  was  drawn  and  pinched,  and 


362  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

she  looked  utterly  forlorn  and  helpless  while  the 
search  went  on. 

Once  in  the  cell,  she  tried  to  speak  cheerfully  to 
her  childhood  friend,  but  she  could  not  prevent  a 
revulsion  of  feeling  when  she  saw  the  perfumed 
dandy  shorn  of  all  his  splendor;  his  long,  thin  neck 
and  large  ears  grated  upon  her  senses  unpleasantly. 

How  was  it  ever  possible  that  she  had  loved 
him? 

Ildiko  began  to  suspect  that  it  was  remorse  and 
not  affection  which  had  prompted  her  feelings.  She 
had  never  practiced  self-restraint,  but  had  always 
given  voice  to  every  passing  emotion.  What  she 
said  was  true  at  the  time  it  was  spoken,  or,  at  least, 
she  thought  it  was. 

Alcamayn  huddled  over  in  a  corner  opposite,  una 
ble  to  control  his  repugnance,  and  instinctively  shar 
ing  something  of  the  aversion  apparent  in  Ildiko. 

Wholly  surprised  and  half-frightened  at  herself, 
Ildiko  arose  to  take  leave.  She  tried  to  feel  very 
sad,  but  instead  of  the  passionate  tears,  and  protest 
of  undying  love,  she  gulped  down  a  dry  sob,  ex 
tended  a  cold  clammy  hand,  and  in  a  queer  little 
voice,  said  with  painful  articulation : 

"  May  Infinity  hover  over  and  guard  thee !  " 

"  May  Justice  find  and  abide  with  thee !  "  he  an 
swered,  ignoring  her  proffered  hand. 

Alcamayn  held  her  eyes  unflinchingly  until  she 
reached  the  door,  to  which  she  made  a  halting 
journey,  hoping  that  he  would  say  some  kind  word 
in  farewell. 

This  was  balm  to  his  revolted  feelings,  and  he  had 
a  grim  sort  of  satisfaction  in  knowing  that  she 
had  sued  for  his  good  will,  and  had  been  repulsed. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  363 

It  was  one  way  to  revenge  himself  upon  her  choice 
of  another  for  a  husband.  The  homicide  really 
cherished  no  ill  will  toward  Orondo.  Ildiko  was  the 
one  he  despised,  and  he  would  leave  her  his  dying 
curses. 

The  last  hour  of  his  life  was  spent  with  Yermah, 
who  did  all  that  could  be  done  to  sustain  the 
wretched  man  through  the  anticipation  of  the  coming 
ordeal. 

Imos  prepared  the  spiced  and  tinctured  wine, 
which  Alcamayn  was  obliged  to  sip  through  a  straw. 
This  was  done  to  produce  drowsiness;  when  the  vic 
tim  was  fully  under  its  influence,  a  white  powder 
having  the  quality  of  cocaine  was  sprinkled  upon  his 
face  to  deaden  pain. 

Alcamayn's  under-garments  were  of  chamois-skin, 
over  which  was  a  loose  robe  of  coarse  cloth  made 
from  the  beaten  fiber  of  nettle.  A  hideous  mask 
was  put  over  his  face,  to  show  that  his  lower  self 
would  be  disguised  in  animal  form  in  its  next  incarna 
tion. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Hanabusa  placed  Alcamayn 
gently  on  the  floor,  giving  directions  to  the  priests 
and  warriors  as  to  the  number  of  cords  which  should 
bind  his  body. 

When  securely  pinioned  they  sewed  him  up  in 
another  layer  of  coarse  cloth,  and  then  placed  him 
on  a  litter.  This  they  carried  up  to  the  second  floor, 
where  by  stout  cords  they  tied  Alcamayn's  feet  to 
the  arch  in  front  of  his  cell.  The  body  was  held  up 
right  on  a  trap-door,  and  allowed  to  fall  full  length, 
striking  the  head  upon  the  floor. 

"  May  all  who  thus  invert  good  be  compelled  to 
die  head  downward !  "  said  ImoSi  solemnly,  as  the 


364  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

trap-door  closed,  and  the  executioners  stood,  blankly 
facing  each  other. 

Great  care  was  taken  to  preserve  a  semblance  of 
lifelike  proportions  in  the  outlines  of  the  funeral 
basket,  to  enable  the  spirit  to  manifest  easily  at  some 
future  time. 

Four  lusty  tamanes  shouldered  the  basket-covered 
remains  and  the  little  procession  filed  out  of  the 
temple  inclosure. 

Men,  women  and  children  turned  their  backs  as 
it  passed,  and  there  was  no  one  to  receive  the  body 
when  it  was  delivered  to  the  priest  at  the  judgment 
hall  of  Hirach. 

Early  next  morning  Imos  announced  in  the  Temple 
of  the  Sun  that  Alcamayn's  body  had  been  refused 
burial. 

Then  the  citizens  went  to  the  hall,  and  carried  the 
remains  down  to  Land's  End,  opposite  Point  Lobos. 
When  the  strongest  ebb  tide  was  at  its  full,  they  cast 
it  into  the  sea.  At  this  point  the  current  runs  at 
the  rate  of  from  three  to  four  knots  an  hour,  and 
the  people  knew  that  when  once  washed  out  to  the 
north,  the  body  could  never,  in  time  or  eternity, 
return  again  to  Golden  Gate  Bay. 

The  continuous  barkings  and  roarings  of  the  now 
extinct  sea-cows  which  congregated  on  the  rocks  in 
that  vicinity  were  supposed  by  the  populace  to  be 
wails  and  lamentations  from  the  unfortunate  dead 
whose  bodies  had  been  literally  condemned  as  food 
for  the  fishes. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-FIVE 

RAHULA'S  DENUNCIATION  OF  YERMAH  —  AT  THE 
FUNERAL  OF  ORONDO 

THE   Azes   believed   that    every   part   of   a 
man's  body  had  a  counterpart  in  the  world 
of    matter.     At    the    moment    of    dissolu 
tion,  the  individual  ego  was  thought  to  be  re-united 
to  the  Absolute,  if  Will,  which  is  the  real  body  of 
the  individualized  spirit,   is  free   from  Desire.     If 
bound  by  these  ties,  it  must  reincarnate  again,  and 
it  was  thought  possible  to  sink  so  low  in  the  scale 
that  the  life  principle  would  contact  the  animal  king 
dom. 

These  people  did  not  practice  cremation  of  the 
dead,  because  they  did  not  think  it  right  to  skip  all 
the  intervening  purgations,  or  reincarnations,  by 
projecting  the  ego  back  into  the  Absolute  at  once. 

They  embalmed  their  honored  dead  and  mummi 
fied  their  bodies  in  order  that  the  individuality 
might  be  preserved,  so  that  in  the  next  incarnation 
memory  might  function  on  the  physical  plane. 

There  are  excellent  examples  of  this  practice 
found  in  the  catacombs  in  Mexico  and  Peru  as  well 
as  in  Egypt  where  the  descendants  of  Atlantis  em 
ployed  the  same  rites.  The  Egyptian  "  Book  of 
the  Dead "  pertains  entirely  to  initiation,  or  the 
finding  of  the  Perfect  Way  in  this  life;  and  the  wel- 
known  portions  of  it  found  with  mummies  are  sim 
ply  certificates  of  initiation. 

365 


366  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

It  is  a  curious  fact  in  psychology  that,  so  long  as 
the  physical  body  is  preserved,  the  astral  counterpart 
cannot  disintegrate;  and  as  memory  is  a  function  of 
the  astral  man,  the  Egyptian  adepts  expect  to  take 
up  their  life  work  again  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the 
past. 

The  negative  magnetic  laws  govern  the  astral  and 
psychic  qualities  of  man,  while  the  positive  electric 
currents  control  the  physical.  Time  and  space  have 
no  influence  over  the  former  conditions  —  facts 
which  were  well  known  to  primitive  civilizations. 

The  papakoo,  or  cemetery  of  Tlamco,  was  a  ter 
raced  range  of  hills,  south  of  Mountain  Lake,  then 
called  the  River  of  Mystery,  which  still  lies  between 
Golden  Gate  Park  and  the  ocean  on  the  north.  It 
is  much  shrunken  in  proportions  and  depth,  though 
retaining  the  same  oblong  outline.  The  hills  form 
a  natural  divide  between  the  Park  and  Sutro  Heights, 
and  then  as  now  jutted  into  the  ocean  at  their  north 
ern  extremity. 

For  six  weeks  the  embalmers  were  engaged  with 
the  body  of  Orondo,  and  when  they  had  finished,  it 
was  completely  mummified.  They  put  salt  on  his 
breast,  as  an  emblem  of  immortality,  and  a  gold 
gorget  around  his  neck,  with  the  inscription : 

"  O  Hidden  Being !  Turn  thy  face  toward  the 
body  of  thy  son  1  " 

The  corpse  was  wrapped  in  fine  linen  bandalettes, 
and  a  Saint  Andrew's  cross  of  copper  was  laid  over 
the  region  of  the  heart  outside  the  enveloping 
swathes. 

In  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  city,  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  lake,  was  the  Temple  of  Uranus, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  367 

where  dwelt  the  priesthood  who  had  charge  of  the 
dead. 

This  mound  had  a  circular  earth  vallum  seven 
hundred  feet  in  diameter,  which  is  one  three-hundred- 
thousandths  of  the  diameter  of  the  planet  Uranus. 

It  was  here  that  Orondo's  body  was  prepared  for 
burial,  and  it  was  from  this  place  that  the  funeral 
cortege  embarked.  While  it  was  being  rowed  across 
the  lake,  the  mourners  scattered  rushes  on  its  smooth 
surface  as  a  sacrifice  and  peace-offering. 

Yermah,  Setos,  Imos  and  Hanabusa  rowed  the 
funeral  barge;  and  when  it  landed  at  the  opposite 
end,  they  lifted  the  mummv  onto  the  catafalque 
standing  ready  to  receive  it. 

All  that  was  mortal  of  Orondo  was  laid  In  a  bed 
of  aloe,  yew,  cypress,  weeping-willow,  rosemary  and 
yellow  marigolds,  while  over  him  was  spread  the 
fated  mantle  given  to  him  by  Yermah.  On  top  of 
this  was  the  sword,  helmet  and  shield  of  the  de 
ceased. 

A  long  line  of  warriors,  with  reversed  spears, 
whose  pennants  trailed  in  the  dust,  marched  up  a 
long  line  of  mastodon-headed  sphinxes,  to  the  judg 
ment  hall  of  Hirach,  where  the  deceased  would  be 
tried  for  the  deeds  done  in  the  body. 

"O  Maker  of  the  material  world!  Thou  Holy 
One!  Whither  shall  we  bring,  where  shall  we  lay, 
the  bodies  of  our  dead?  " 

After  the  body  came  Yermah,  Setos,  Imos  and 
Hanabusa,  followed  by  civic  deputations,  priests  and 
priestesses,  and  a  great  concourse  of  people. 

The  judgment  hall  stood  on  the  south  side  of 
Mountain  Lake,  near  the  plowed  out  Golden  Gate, 


868  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

and  had  a  rock  foundation  which  the  Azes  called 
Gharepo.  The  building  was  erected  in  the  exact 
center  of  a  huge  pentagram,  the  apex  of  which  was 
on  the  rock  Gharepo,  the  east  foot  on  the  north 
peak  of  Las  Papas,  and  the  west  in  the  ocean,  near 
the  Cliff  House  shore.  The  feet  of  Hirach  were 
correlated  to  those  of  the  pentagram.  He  was  step 
ping  from  the  ocean  to  the  mountain,  signifying  the 
involution  of  the  ego  from  the  astral  universe  into 
the  material  world.  Hirach  was  a  counterpart  of 
the  Amen  of  Revelation,  who  had  "  one  foot  on  the 
sea  and  one  on  solid  land,"  etc. 

The  circle  surrounding  Hirach  described  the  orbit 
of  Mars,  which  corresponds  to  the  body  of  Desire. 
The  sixth  labor  crushes  this  principle,  but  in  so  doing 
opens  the  path  for  the  initiate  to  measure  the  propor 
tions  of  the  cosmos;  and  properly  adjust  them  one 
to  the  other. 

Mars  is  the  planetary  phase  of  the  Red  Dragon, 
the  eating  of  whose  heart  forms  the  means  by  which 
Sigierd,  the  Norse  hero,  attained  Wisdom.  The 
heart  is  triple,  emblematic  of  the  three  cardinal  vir 
tues,  Will,  Aspiration  and  Harmony,  and  their  com 
mon  center  —  the  spirit,  was  the  altar  in  the  middle 
of  the  judgment  hall. 

From  the  center  of  the  holy  of  holies  were  struck 
the  distances  of  the  four  inner  planets;  hence  it  not 
only  showed  the  three  radii  of  the  earth,  but  the 
three  phases  of  Hermes,  or  Wisdom,  and  the  ego 
in  the  three  worlds,  which  in  this  instance  was  the 
higher  personality  sitting  in  judgment  on  the  deeds 
done  in  the  body. 

The  relative  size  of  the  earth  was  represented  by 
the  tip  of  the  devotee's  fore-finger  as  he  entered 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  369 

the  western  door  and  held  up  his  hand  in  adoration 
and  salutation  to  Deity. 

The  structure  was  shaped  like  a  cross,  and  was 
surmounted  by  tall  spires.  Over  the  entrance  was 
an  entablature  propped  by  two  square  capitals. 
Above  this  was  a  frieze  with  the  hieroglyphs  of 
Truth,  Fire  and  Light  surrounded  by  twelve  sym 
bolical  groups. 

Between  the  sixth  and  seventh,  a  figure  knelt  and 
stretched  out  its  arms  above  the  two  sacred  eyes, 
symbolizing  the  north  and  south.  This  alluded  to 
the  diurnal  motion  of  the  sun,  which  is  an  implicit 
promise  of  resurrection,  from  the  sky  above  us. 

At  the  ends  of  the  emblematic  row  was  another 
figure,  poising  a  pair  of  balances. 

In  the  western  arm  of  the  cross  was  a  throne, 
surmounted  by  a  canopy  representing  the  Tree  of 
Life.  The  golden  fleece  hung  in  its  branches,  and 
in  the  center  was  the  lamb  immeshed  in  a  nimbus. 

Seated  on  the  throne  was  Hirach,  a  priest  from 
the  Temple  of  Neptune,  whose  face  was  hidden  by 
a  green  mask.  On  his  head  was  a  tall  conical  hat 
made  of  alternating  stripes  of  red  and  green,  and 
the  same  combination  of  color  was  observable  in  his 
costume. 

The  mantle  was  green;  the  tunic,  red;  while  the 
arms  and  legs  were  covered  with  striped  cloth,  as 
he  sat  with  arms  crossed  over  his  breast.  In  his 
right  hand  was  a  crook,  while  in  his  left  was  a  flail. 

Hirach,  or  Conscious  Life,  personated  the  higher 
self  of  the  dead  man,  and  it  was  his  office  to  weigh 
the  thoughts,  words  and  deeds  of  Orondo,  against 
the  image  of  Truth.  On  each  side  of  him  stood  a 
priestess,  representing  the  two  phases  of  truth.  One 


370  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

held  a  lily  in  her  hand,  to  show  that  she  stood  for 
Truth  in  Action ;  while  the  other  held  the  quill  of  an 
eagle,  signifying  that  she  was  Truth  in  Thought, 
itself. 

The  two  attendants  were  clothed  in  trailing  white 
draperies,  and  their  hands  were  crossed  over  their 
breasts.  The  sleeves  came  only  to  the  elbow,  but 
were  long  and  wide,  like  those  worn  by  Japanese 
women.  Only  the  throat  was  revealed  at  the  neck, 
and  there  was  a  peculiar  allegorical  girdle  around 
the  waist.  These  figures  were  known  as  Ma. 

When  we  call  our  mothers  "  Ma,"  we  are  ad 
dressing  them  as  the  Principle  of  Truth  —  a  singu 
larly  fitting  name;  since  the  mother  is  the  literal 
image  of  Truth  to  the  child,  until  he  is  old  enough 
to  discover  it  by  reasoning  processes. 

Osiris,  the  spirit  within  the  earth,  draws  every  soul 
to  him  with  a  crook,  and  repulses  it  with  a  flail. 

The  ceremony  about  to  be  enacted  quaintly  set 
forth  the  trials  by  the  law  of  causation,  or  experi 
ence,  undergone  by  the  individual  in  the  process  of 
being  drawn  into  and  thrown  out  of  earth  life.  It 
was  an  enactment  of  the  tragedy  within  each  human 
heart. 

On  a  square  lectern  in  front  of  Hirach  was  a 
huge  parchment  scroll,  tied  with  seven  seals.  By 
an  ingenious  arrangement,  the  lectern  was  also  a 
support  for  a  pair  of  balances.  On  the  left  side 
was  a  gold  vase  containing  the  heart  of  Orondo, 
which  was  soon  to  be  weighed  against  a  small  image 
of  Truth,  on  the  right  scale. 

Between  Hirach  and  the  altar  of  offerings  sat  four 
intercessors,  or  Associate  Judges,  representing  the 
material  body,  the  astral  body,  soul  and  spirit. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  371 

They  were  dressed  in  black,  gray,  purple  and 
green. 

The  official  mourners,  selected  from  each  of  the 
guilds,  and  from  the  priesthood,  made  offerings  to 
the  four  elements  in  nature  corresponding  to  the 
four  attributes  of  man.  That  to  earth  was  a  bunch 
of  bearded  wheat;  that  to  water,  a  pond-lily;  that 
to  air,  a  white  dove;  while  that  to  fire  was  a 
chalice  of  bergamot  oil.  After  being  consecrated 
and  blessed,  the  offerings  were  brought  forward  by 
men  dressed  in  blue,  and  laid  upon  the  altar  in  their 
proper  succession.  The  fires  in  the  sacred  urns  in 
the  burial  service  were  used,  in  order  that  the  life- 
principle  present  in  fire  might  find  the  individual 
body  it  once  inhabited. 

Along  the  outer  wall,  in  a  semi-circle,  were  seated 
the  forty-two  assessors  who  were  to  try  this  novel 
case.  They  wore  cloth-of-gold  robes,  and  had  a 
golden  feather  of  Truth  in  the  headbands  over  their 
closely  curled  hair,  to  show  that  they  represented 
mental  traits,  and  corresponded  to  the  forty-two 
phrenological  organs  of  the  brain. 

These  assessors  were  divided  into  three  groups, 
distinguishable  by  the  color  of  their  mantles.  The 
first  typified  the  psychic  attributes,  and  pertained  to 
the  front  of  the  cerebrum;  the  mental  to  the  middle 
part  of  the  head;  while  the  material  stood  for  the 
cerebellum. 

The  problem  of  the  perfect  life  is  solved  by  the 
even  balance  of  these  parts  of  the  brain  with  the 
corresponding  worlds  of  cosmic  essence. 

When  the  remains  were  placed  between  the  altar 
of  offerings  and  the  lectern,  the  priestesses  knelt 
on  each  side,  followed  by  the  official  mourners. 


372  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Every  eye  was  turned  anxiously  toward  the  Left- 
Hand  Path,  as  the  second  entrance  was  called. 
Any  citizen  who  had  been  wronged  by  the  deceased 
in  his  lifetime,  had  a  right  to  come  into  the  temple 
and  accuse  him. 

There  had  been  mutterings  and  ominous  shakings 
of  the  head,  but  no  one  seemed  to  be  able  to  make 
definite  statements. 

Suddenly  the  door  was  flung  open,  and  Rahula 
came  in  with  an  angry  scowl  on  her  face.  She  had 
on  the  mantle  and  red  cap  of  the  accuser  of  souls, 
and  back  of  her  was  a  numerous  following;  they, 
also,  were  dressed  in  red. 

Each  face  whitened,  and  there  was  a  tense,  ap 
prehensive  feeling  everywhere. 

Yermah  and  Setos  supported  Ildiko,  who  rushed 
forward  and  threw  herself  at  the  foot  of  the  bier. 
She  was  completely  shrouded  in  black.  On  her  head 
was  a  round  wreath  of  black  ivy,  having  a  crown 
and  long  pennants  of  white  gauze  in  the  back. 
Her  close-cropped  hair  was  still  better  concealed  by 
a  broad  band  of  the  gauze  which  fastened  to  the 
wreath  and  came  down  under  the  chin,  hiding  the 
ears. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  Alcyesta  stood  near  Ildiko, 
ready  to  offer  assistance  and  sympathy,  while  Hana- 
busa  supported  Setos. 

Oahspe,  the  Sun  Virgin,  enveloped  in  black,  and 
wearing  a  gold  mask  for  unknowable  Deity,  broke 
the  seal  and  unrolled  the  parchment.  As  she  did 
so,  Imos  prepared  to  record  the  verdict.  Flinging 
his  arms  out  on  either  side,  he  exclaimed : 

"  I  give  glory  to  Hirach,  lord  of  the  essences,  liv 
ing  in  truth !  I  have  come  to  thee,  bringing  to  thee 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  373 

truth.  Where  art  thy  attendant  gods?  Grant  that 
I  may  be  with  them  in  thy  company." 

A  deep  guttural  voice  behind  the  mask  responded : 

"  Peace  will  not  abide  with  thee  until  thou  hast 
overthrown  thine  enemies." 

From  out  the  phalanx  on  the  right,  Yermah 
stepped  forward  and  lifted  a  determined  face,  pale 
as  the  linen  robes  he  wore.  Bringing  his  hands  to 
gether  high  over  his  head,  he  said: 

"  Homage  to  thee,  O  Master  of  Truth!  I  come 
toward  thee!  I  am  here  to  contemplate  thy 
splendor !  " 

"  Give  thy  tongue  truthful  license,  but  speak  no 
evil  of  the  dead,"  was  the  admonition  of  the  Hirach. 

Repeating  the  sign  of  asseveration,  the  Dorado 
began : 

"  Great  and  mighty  Hirach,  thou  knowest  that 
the  gloom  of  the  tomb  is  but  the  cradle  of  the  sun. 
Before  thee  lies  a  pure,  unsullied  soul. 

"  Orondo  had  the  three  cardinal  virtues  of  piety, 
because  he  loved  his  Creator,  loved  virtue,  and  loved 
man.  He  gave  bread  to  the  hungry,  water  to  the 
thirsty,  garments  to  the  naked.  He  who  perceives 
him  says  he  comes  in  peace. 

"  May  he  enter  into  rest,  praised;  may  he  go  out, 
beloved  —  for  there  is  no  more  fault  or  evil  in  him. 
Save  him;  protect  him;  for  his  mouth  is  clean  and  his 
hands  are  pure.  He  was  free  from  the  oppression 
of  the  widow  and  the  fatherless. 

"  There  was  not  by  his  fault  either  a  fearful,  or 
poor,  or  suffering  or  wretched  one.  He  did  not 
cause  any  one  to  weep.1  He  — " 

Rahula  who  had  been  growing  more  and  more  ex- 

1  Egyptian  Book  of  the  Dead. 


374  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

cited,  rushed  to  Yermah's  side,  and  throwing  her 
hands  up  wildly,  cried  out  : 

"  Hirach,  thou  who  art  mirrored  in  truth,  palsy 
the  tongue  departing  from  thy  formula !  Orondo 
merits  not  an  honored  place  in  the  Vale  of  Peace. 
The  fishes  yearn  for  his  body.  He  lived  not  in  truth, 
nor  walked  in  the  ways  acceptable  to  the  gods  of 
magic  mystery." 

What  more  she  would  have  said  was  drowned  in 
a  chorus  of  protest  from  the  warrior-priests.  The 
mourners  added  their  supplications,  and  the  priest 
esses  murmured: 

"Om  — -ah!     Om  — ah!     Om  — ah!" 

Without  noticing  the  interruption,  Yermah  com 
pleted  his  sentence. 

"  Orondo  did  no  evil.  Nothing  can  be  pro 
duced  against  him.  He  committed  no  violence,  nor 
did  he  torment  any  heart.  No  one  was  by  him 
treacherously  slain." 

"  Hear  him,  O  just  powers !  This  man  stands 
here  and  claims  to  be  a  vehicle  for  truth !  How 
darest  thou  say  that  Orondo  caused  no  man  to  be 
treacherously  killed? 

"  On  both  thy  heads  lie  the  curse  of  Alcamayn's 
death.  Robbed  of  his  own  by  Orondo,  and  done 
to  death  by  thee ! 

"  Thou  art  a  mighty  representative  in  the  Hall 
of  the  Two  Truths.  Hear  me,  Yermah !  —  A 
mother's  curse  is  on  thee  I  Thou  art  a  doomed 
man!" 

"  A  mother's  curse !  "  exclaimed  Yermah,  in  a 
whisper,  sharing  the  consternation  around  him. 

A  curse  in  the  time  of  the  Dorado  was  a  thing  of 
fearful  import. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  375 

The  intemperance  of  her  speech  showed  the  un 
controllable  rage  of  Rahula. 

"  Yes,"  she  screamed, — "  a  mother's  curse !  Al- 
camayn  was  my  first  and  only  born.  Oh,  there  is 
no  need  of  thy  horrid  looks!  He  never  knew  the 
relationship.  Because  of  thy  spiritual  father,  Akaza, 
thou  hast  a  heritage  of  my  hate.  But  for  him  I 
should  have  claimed  my  son." 

Seeming  to  realize  that  temper  had  carried  her  too 
far,  Rahula  tried  to  repair  what  she  had  already 
said.  Setos  made  a  threatening  gesture  toward  her, 
while  every  one  looked  at  his  neighbor,  and  said  in 
an  undertone : 

"  She  is  a  black  magician.  Akaza  was  obliged  to 
take  her  child  away  from  her." 

Her  attendants  hissed  angrily  and  stamped  with 
their  feet  to  prevent  Yermah  from  being  heard.  He 
realized  that  the  demonstration  was  against  himself 
personally,  and  was  appalled  at  the  virulence  of  the 
attack,  but  went  bravely  on. 

"  Orondo  afflicted  no  one;  neither  did  he  commit 
perfidy.  He  was  never  an  accuser,  and  was  only 
angry  when  there  was  just  cause  — " 

"  Thou  art  a  monstrous  liar  I  He  had  just 
cause  to  be  angry  with  thee,  who  enticed  his  first 
love  away,  and  repaid  him  with  another  man's 
choice." 

Crossing  over  to  him  and  shaking  her  finger  in 
his  face,  defiantly,  Rahula  fairly  shrieked: 

"  Thou  hast  imperiled  thy  immortal  soul  1  Dearly 
shalt  thou  pay  for  thine  own  perfidy!  I  dare  tell 
thee  to  thy  face,  thou  art  guilty  of  the  unpardonable 
sin!  Thou  who  wert  coward  enough  to  compel  thy 
dead  friend  to  marry  this  poor  misguided  creature 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


lying  at  thy  feetl  For  this  cause  my  Alcamayn 
died  in  dishonor!  " 

The  warrior-priests  clanked  their  swords  angrily, 
and  the  smoldering  disloyalty  was  like  a  tinder- 
box  to  the  furious  gestures  and  acts  of  the  fac 
tions. 

Setos  grabbed  Rahula  by  the  arm  and  shook  her 
violently  before  she  would  heed  him. 

"  Hast  thou  no  sense  of  decency,  Rahula?  Cease 
thy  upbraidings,  else  wilt  thou  ruin  all  !  " 

She  quailed  before  his  determined  look  and  was 
silent. 

Shaking  like  a  leaf  and  wounded  to  the  death  in 
his  tenderest  parts,  Yermah  once  more  essayed  to 
speak. 

Finding  that  he  could  not  command  his  voice,  he 
turned  appealingly  to  the  musicians,  who  responded 
with  a  funeral  air.  When  they  had  finished,  Yer 
mah,  with  tears  coursing  down  his  cheeks  —  which 
he  made  no  effort  to  conceal,  said: 

"  Hirach,  as  I  expect  to  stand  face  to  face  with 
thee  finally,  hear  me  !  In  that  I  love  Orondo  well, 
conscience  doth  acquit  me  of  evil  intent  toward  him. 
Whatever  service  he  rendered  me  was  a  pleasure 
to  him,  and  was  of  his  own  choosing.  That  he 
preferred  duty  to  success,  is  one  more  reason  why 
his  bones  should  be  interred  with  the  blessed.  There 
was  no  guile  in  him. 

"  He  was  as  tender  as  a  woman,  as  simple  as  a 
child,  and  faithful  unto  death.  The  heart  weigh 
ing  even  in  the  scales  of  Truth  was  burst  in  twain 
by  the  sorrows  which  oppressed  his  high  courage. 
Struck  down  in  the  flower  of  manhood,  hurled 
through  the  Gates  of  Light  by  unseemly  circum- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  377 

stance,  Orondo,  the  soul  of  honor,  merits  the  rite  of 
consecration.  Hear,  Hirach,  as  thou  wouldst  in 
turn  be  heard,  and  grant  as  thine  own  hope  of  future 
reward  may  prompt  thee  I  " 

The  non-resistance  and  manliness  of  Yermah  did 
not  fail  to  appeal  to  a  people  equable  in  temper  and 
given  to  just  decision.  The  waves  of  feeling  which 
surged  through  the  temple  made  him  aware  of  this, 
though  the  sounds  were  almost  inaudible. 

Every  one  waited  in  dread  suspense  for  Rahula's 
final  plea.  She  was  still  laboring  under  ill-sup 
pressed  excitement,  and  resentment  blazed  anew  as 
she  spoke. 

"  Hirach,  thou  who  art  unshaken  by  emotion  or 
desire,  hear  and  give  heed!  Orondo  was  ever  the 
craven  tool  of  him  who  stands  here  in  his  defense. 
He  sought  more  to  obey  the  will  of  his  master  than 
the  will  of  the  gods.  Once  again  I  beseech  thee, 
give  his  body  to  the  fishes  1  " 

"No!  no!  no!"  burst  from  the  lips  of  the 
mourners,  the  priestesses,  and  the  warrior-priests, 
augmented  by  the  intercessors,  too. 

Yermah  stood  with  his  hands  clasped  and  head 
bowed  low.  His  dejection  and  silence  angered 
Rahula  still  more,  because  she  instinctively  felt  that 
he  was  right,  and  that  she  could  not  provoke  him 
into  a  show  of  resistance.  She  hated  him  for  the 
sympathy  he  had  unconsciously  aroused. 

"  Finally,  I  demand  this  body  of  thee,  Hirach  1 

"  Bloody  deeds  shall  follow  thy  refusal.  Never 
canst  thou  make  it  right  to  bless  this  man,  while 
Alcamayn's  shade  is  doomed  to  wander  through 
myriad  years  because  of  him.  I  charge  thee  to  weigh 
and  consider  thy  decision  I  " 


578  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Hirach,  using  the  flail  for  a  baton,  waved  for 
silence. 

Then  the  two  intercessors,  earth  and  water,  arose 
and  pointed  to  the  left.  Thus  far  the  decision  was 
against  Orondo. 

The  kneeling  figures  arose  and  joined  the  warrior- 
priests  in  supplication.  The  remaining  intercessors, 
air  and  fire,  stood  and  pointed  to  the  right. 

With  bated  breath  they  waited  for  Hirach's 
action.  In  an  impressive  silence  he  arose  and 
pointed  to  the  right. 

uHaille!  Haille!  Haille!"  cried  the  people, 
in  a  spontaneous  outburst,  which  a  sense  of  decorum 
quickly  quelled. 

"  Let  the  heart  of  Orondo  be  given  back  to  him. 
Let  him  go  into  the  Hall  of  Mystery  by  the  Right- 
Hand  Path,"  read  Imos  in  a  sonorous  voice. 

As  soon  as  the  verdict  was  announced,  the  funeral 
cortege  formed  as  it  came,  and  filed  out  of  the 
temple.  Rahula  and  her  followers  departed  to  the 
left,  with  their  arms  crossed  before  their  faces,  and 
their  heads  drooping  under  the  knowledge  of  defeat. 
******* 

A  granite  sarcophagus  was  placed  at  the  entrance 
of  the  long  tunnel-like  tomb,  cut  deep  into  the 
side  of  the  mountain.  Here  was  desposited  all  of 
the  personal  belongings  of  Orondo,  sealed  up  in  curi 
ous-shaped  jars  and  baskets.  After  the  body  was 
placed  in  the  tomb,  these  were  laid  around  it,  and  the 
whole  securely  sealed. 

A  never-dying  perfume-lamp  of  wrought  bronze 
was  suspended  over  the  head,  which  was  laid  to  the 
west.  The  granite  doors  were  hermetically  closed, 
and  Orondo  was  finally  left  to  sleep  with  the  justified. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-SIX 

"  DOWN  WITH  THE  APOSTATE,   YERMAH  " STRIFE 

IN   TLAMCO 

Iff  I  AHOU  knowest,  Imos,  how  I  execrate 
the  memory  of  Akaza,"  said  Setos,  as 
JL  the  two  sat  in  conference,  at  the  high- 
priest's  house,  shortly  after  Orondo's  burial. 

"  So  do  I.  How  often  has  he  come  between  the 
sacred  hierarchy  and  their  rights.  He  was  always 
intent  upon  the  spirit  rather  than  on  the  ritual 
practice  of  our  faith.  By  his  will  Yermah  is  made 
hierophant,  and  I,  who  have  served  a  lifetime,  am 
cast  aside  with  scant  courtesy." 

Imos  was  a  man  advanced  in  years,  having  a 
broad  high  forehead,  aquiline  nose,  square-cut  eye 
brows,  and  thin,  finely  compressed  lips.  His  bald 
head,  protruding  like  the  knob  of  a  knee,  revealed 
a  combative  and  tyrannical  disposition. 

Setos  had  much  ado  to  conceal  a  grin  of  satisfac 
tion,  as  the  high-priest  bared  his  secret  ambition. 
He  was  unusually  affable  as  he  answered : 

"  Thou  art  shamefully  ill-used,  but  I  am  thy 
brother  in  misfortune.  When  war  devastated 
Atlantis,  Akaza  stood  continually  before  the  rabble, 
out-tonguing  them  in  demands.  The  powers  of 
right  were  on  our  side;  but  in  the  third  day's  battle 
he  turned  the  tide  of  victory  by  his  infernal  en 
chantments.  Our  gallant  spearsmen  were  advancing 

379 


380  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

two  deep,  when  he  charged  them  with  three  bodies 
of  horsemen. 

"  '  It  is  Akaza !  '  "  cried  our  leader,  Poseidon. 
"  *  The  traitor  comes  to  certain  death.'  Some  say 
that  bolts  from  a  mangonel  struck  through  our 
ranks;  others,  that  he  cut  off  the  spear-heads.  Of 
this  I  know  not.  Poseidon  rode  at  him  in  mortal 
combat,  but  fell  uninjured  at  Akaza's  feet.  Fail 
ing  to  kill  him,  he  was  obliged  to  give  the  Dorado 
as  hostage.  Ichanor,  the  war-chief  of  Poseidon, 
was  compelled  to  surrender  his  son  Orondo.  By  this 
means  the  schemer  contrived  to  gain  supremacy  in 
Atlantis  and  all  her  dependencies.  So  long  as  he 
lived  oppression  hung  over  me.  Thou  mayst  judge 
what  love  I  bear  his  successor." 

The  two  men  gave  each  other  a  searching  glance, 
which  said  as  plainly  as  words,  "  How  shall  we  be 
rid  of  him?" 

"  We  must  be  masters  of  caution,"  said  the  wily 
priest 

"  Suspicion  abides  not  with  Yermah  and  he  knows 
nothing  of  black  art." 

A  loud  rapping  at  the  front  door  and  hurrying 
feet  along  the  passage-way  caused  both  to  rise  and 
listen  intently.  Simultaneously  with  the  permit  to 
enter,  came  Cezardis,  flushed  and  in  breathless  haste. 

"  Exigency  compels  the  waiving  of  ceremony," 
said  he.  "  A  great  concourse  are  in  the  theater 
listening  to  Rahula's  arraignment  of  Yermah.  By 
a  cunningly  contrived  tragedy,  called  '  The  Lost 
Soul '  she  scores  him  without  mercy,  and  has  given 
utterance  to  all  that  Alcamayn  confided  to  her  con 
cerning  the  Dorado  having  concealed  his  divinity  in 
a  ruby  which  he  sent  to  the  high-priestess,  Keroecia. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  381 

"  Yermah  broke  his  vow,  and  was  blaspheming 
violently  when  the  swift  and  terrible  punishment 
came.  Alcamayn  heard  his  awful  words,  but  feared 
even  to  repeat  them,  lest  we  be  doomed  to  suffer 
again.  Rahula  has  inflamed  the  populace  against 
him,  and  they  are  running  through  the  streets 
shouting :  '  Down  with  the  apostate,  Yermah ! 
He  has  committed  unpardonable  sin  against  the  In 
effable  !  He  shall  no  longer  rule  Tlamco  1  '  Dost 
thou  not  hear  the  bugle  calls?  Signals  are  flashing 
from  the  forts,  and  the  whole  city  is  in  uproar." 

Many  extraneous  sounds  bore  out  this  testimony; 
but  neither  auditor  evinced  surprise,  though  both 
showed  concern. 

"  So,"  said  Setos  presently,  "  the  prophecy  con 
cerning  the  lost  planet  has  come  true.  A  great  and 
momentous  change  is  upon  us." 

"  Hast  thou  not  heard  the  Blessed  Books  read  in 
the  temples?  " 

"  Thou  shouldst  remember  that  I  have  been  in 
the  house  of  enemies.  It  would  have  been  unsafe 
for  me.  Wilt  thou  refresh  early  recollections  now 
and  hurriedly?  " 

As  far  as  he  was  capable,  Setos  was  devout,  and 
was  always  comforted  by  the  rumble  of  long  words. 

Imos  had  a  voice  which  fitted  him  for  such  an  oc 
casion,  and  he  was  much  pleased  to  have  the  oppor 
tunity  to  use  it.  With  the  proper  degree  of 
solemnity,  he  crossed  to  the  east  side  of  the  room, 
where  the  books  lay,  and  then  making  three  profound 
genuflections,  he  began  reading  promptly : 

In  the  beginning  the  Great  Spirit,  surnamed  Cohesion, 
breathed  into  chaotic  disorder  the  fire  of  life.  Verily,  it 


382  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

grew  to  mighty  proportions.  It  had  two  arms  dividing  the 
Supernal  from  the  light  of  this  world,  which  is  darkness  to 
the  ones  reposing  in  the  sunshine  of  eternal  peace.  So  vast 
was  the  chasm  yawning  between  Spirit  and  Matter,  that  no 
mortal  crossed  the  void  for  a  million  years.  Then  the  twi 
light  changed  into  morning,  and  there  arose  from  the  Celes 
tial  Shore  an  Archangel  strong  and  mighty. 

Hirach  was  his  name.  May  it  ever  more  be  blessed! 
And  a  great  voice  was  heard  in  the  expanse  like  unto  the 
sound  of  a  trumpet,  saying: 

"  Who  is  able  to  cross  the  chasm,  to  give  to  souls  unborn 
the  Key?  To  open  the  book  to  them  that  therein  they  may 
read  the  Way  of  life?  " 

And  the  bodiless  and  formless  ones  sounded  the  lEolian 
harps,  and  sang: 

"Hirach  is  his  name!  Thrice  blessed  is  he  —  Hirach  of 
two  threefold  wings,  encircling  heaven,  earth  and  the  vast 
ocean!  He  alone  is  great;  he  is  able  to  cross  the  vast  abyss" 

Then  Hirach  called  unto  himself  a  great  Red  Dragon, 
whose  name  was  Marah — for  he  shall  deceive  the  nations, 
and  they  shall  war  with  one  another.  He  who  sat  on  the 
dragon  was  calm  and  silent.  His  lofty,  godlike  brow  was 
wrapped  in  the  golden  splendor  of  the  morning  sun.  Over, 
the  deep  chasm  which  divides  mortals  from  the  highest 
thrones  swirled  the  Red  Dragon,  and  the  worlds  trembled 
and  feared.  And  the  mountains  from  before  whose  eyes 
the  clouds  had  vanished  said  to  the  stars  shining  in  the 
majesty  of  their  being:  "  Who  Is  the  terrible  Red  Dragon, 

and  whose  splendor  anointeth  the  brow  of  him  sitting  there 
at  *> 
on? 

The  stars  answered:  "  From  infinity  to  infinity  we  roll 
in  our  courses;  ages  on  ages  have  spent  themselves  in  our 
existence,  yet  we  remember  not  when  the  Red  Dragon  rose 
into  life;  neither  can  we  comprehend  the  splendor  on  the 
brow  of  him  who  sitteth  thereon." 

Now  as  the  Dragon  gyrated  in  his  course,  his  fiery  breath 
caused  new  suns  to  spring  into  existence,  and  new  planets 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  383 

rolled  in  their  orbits  around  them,  peopled  with  living  beings. 
Then  the  Dragon  exalted  himself  in  pride,  and  puffed  out 
his  cheeks,  saying: 

"  Behold  the  glorious  suns  which  I  have  created,  to  give 
light  and  life  to  all  creatures,  that  they  may  praise  me  and 
give  glory  for  that  which  I  have  done." 

Then  he  who  sat  on  the  head  of  the  Dragon,  clothed  in 
splendor,  rose  and  smote  the  ugly  beast,  whose  death-agony 
dashed  into  pieces  the  beautiful  planet  circling  between  Mars 
and  Jupiter,  thus  forever  destroying  the  equilibrium  between 
War  and  Justice.  The  souls  thereon  were  drawn  into  the 
vortex  of  the  earth.  With  his  two  tails  he  laid  hold  of 
Mars  and  Venus,  seeking  to  destroy  them  also;  but  H track 
raised  the  great  two-edged  sword  in  his  hands  and  cleft 
asunder  the  tails  of  the  Dragon.  He  cut  the  body  into  five 
pieces,  which  fell  to  the  earth,  and  the  Dragon  was  no  more. 

"  Such,"  said  Imos,  "  is  the  account  of  the  Red 
Dragon.  It  is  said  that  the  chain  of  hills  which 
encircle  Tlamco  are  the  remains  of  his  body.  Yonder 
hill  to  the  east,  is  his  skull,  and  is  called  Calvu.  It 
is  furthermore  stated  that  Hirach  shall  at  the  end  of 
the  cycle  come  from  a  cavern  beneath  it.  Akaza  — • 
curses  be  his  portion!  says  that  the  Blessed  Story  is 
an  allegory.  He,  a  viler  apostate  than  his  pupil, 
claimed  that  he  would  come  again,  as  Hirach  incar 
nate,  to  break  the  power  of  the  black  brotherhood." 

"  Rather  let  us  exterminate  the  last  remnant  of 
them,  and  give  their  bodies  to  the  fishes !  "  was 
his  companion's  intemperate  rejoinder. 

"  Face  thy  duty  resolutely,  and  may  victory  be  on 
thy  side  1  "  said  Imos,  piously,  as  Setos  hurried  out 
of  the  house. 

"  He  who  holds  our  destiny,  plans  all  things  well. 
May  thy  hopes  find  fruition  also !  " 


384  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Setos  knew  that  his  seditious  work  among  the 
warriors  was  ready  to  bear  fruit,  but  he  was  gratified 
that  Rahula  had  provoked  the  outburst.  She  had 
been  in  a  frenzy  of  rage  since  her  defeat  in  the 
judgment  hall,  and  this  was  her  revenge.  Setos  was 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  it  and  be  made 
Grand  Servitor  of  the  Azes. 

******* 

The  theater  stood  on  a  sloping  hill  southeast  of 
Lone  Mountain.  It  faced  the  south,  shielding  the 
spectators  from  the  north  wind.  They  had  a  com 
manding  view  of  the  bay  and  islands  in  the  fore 
ground  and  the  tawny  leonine  hills  in  the  distance. 

The  edifice  was  a  semi-circle,  provided  with  tiers 
of  seats,  and  would  accommodate  many  thousand 
people.  It  was  an  earth  embankment  fitted  with 
stone  seats  and  a  sanded  floor,  with  an  open  roof, 
supported  by  stout  poles.  An  arch  under  the  right 
wing  marked  the  entrance  to  the  stage,  and  led  to 
subterranean  dressing-rooms.  There  was  small  pro 
vision  for  artificial  setting,  the  beauty  of  natural 
scenery  being  deemed  sufficient. 

"Haille!  Haille!  Haillel  Setos  sent  to  de 
liver  us  from  peril !  "  cried  a  company  of  warriors 
who  were  escorting  Rahula  home  from  the  theater. 

"  Haille,  Setos !  Chief  of  the  Turghati  —  men 
loyal  to  the  true  faith  of  Atlantis!"  exclaimed 
Rahula,  whose  disordered  dress,  sparkling  eyes,  and 
flushed  cheeks,  bespoke  her  excitement.  When  she 
approached  Setos,  she  was  trembling  violently,  but 
every  sense  was  on  the  alert. 

"  Thou  who  art  the  man  of  destiny,  come  with  me," 
she  continued.  "  I  will  tell  thee  all  that  has  hap 
pened." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  385 

"  Rahula,  the  silver-tongued,  is  thy  worthy  fore 
runner,  as  Mercury  is  of  the  sun.  Go  with  her  and 
then  come  to  the  Observatory.  Thy  presence  will 
put  heart  into  the  wavering  ones,  who  are  in  consulta 
tion.  Thou  mayst  depend  upon  us." 

The  crowd  was  noisy  and  unruly,  but  Setos  under 
stood  that  the  warriors  would  hold  them  in  check. 
He  followed  Rahula  indoors.  Acting  on  the  impulse 
of  the  moment,  Setos  drew  Rahula  to  him  and  kissed 
her  passionately. 

If  he  had  been  blind  before,  he  certainly  knew  now, 
and  he  suddenly  realized  that  she  was  necessary  to 
his  success. 

"  Thou  art  worthy  of  my  best  love,"  he  said, 
"  and  thou  shalt  command  it.  Open  thy  heart  to 
me." 

"  Thou  hast  surprised  its  secret,  and  made  me 
forget  our  danger.  Death  were  not  unwelcome  in 
this  guise,"  she  murmured,  nestling  down  closer  in 
his  arms. 

"  Thy  lips  must  pay  forfeit  for  speech  once  more, 
and  then  thy  sweet  voice  must  quell  this  inward 
tumult.  I  could  drowse  like  a  sleepy  god  in  thy 
embrace." 

"  Duty  stern  and  uncompromising  faces  us,  and  we 
must  yield  to  other  influences,"  said  Rahula,  slipping 
out  of  his  arms.  "  The  die  is  cast,  and  thou  must 
not  falter  or  linger  in  sweet  dalliance." 

"  Pearls  of  wisdom  ever  fall  from  thy  lips,  Ra 
hula.  Thy  well-chosen  words  sober  me  again. 
What  dost  thou  know?  " 

She  held  both  his  hands  to  her  breast,  and  looked 
at  him  steadfastly. 

"  I  am  aware  that  discontent  has  been  flourishing 


386  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

like  a  poisonous  weed  in  Tlamco.  It  needed  but  a 
spark  to  fan  it  to  a  blaze  and  I  have  produced  that 
spark.  It  is  in  the  suspicion  that  Yermah  is  an 
accursed  and  lost  soul.  Thou  knowest  the  tradition 
concerning  other  calamities  in  the  dim  ages.  Fan 
this  flame  judiciously,  and  thou  wilt  sit  in  the  seat 
of  power." 

He  would  have  strained  her  to  his  breast  again,  but 
she  eluded  him.  She  was  certain  of  her  hold  upon 
him,  and  was  anxious  to  strengthen  it. 

"  Thou  canst  not  be  sure  of  unqualified  support,'5 
she  went  on.  "If  thou  canst  not  silence  Yermah's 
adherents  in  argument,  then  thou  must  resort  to 
arms." 

"  Thou  art  my  love,  and  a  wise  counselor,"  he 
answered,  still  actuated  by  gratitude  and  what  he 
called  love.  "  Go  thou  to  the  Camp  of  Mars,  and 
I  will  be  guided  by  thee,"  he  added,  aiding  her  in 
the  readjustment  of  her  mantle. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-SEVEN 

THE    SHOCK    OF    CONFLICT    AND    YERMAH'S    OVER 
THROW 

WAR  was  undertaken  for  religious  purposes 
—  never  for  conquest  —  which  accounted 
for  the  methods  used  in  stirring  up  sedi 
tion  in  Tlamco. 

The  object  in  conquering  an  outside  power  was  to 
civilize  it;  and  if  captives  refused  to  accept  hos 
pitable  treatment,  they  were  scattered  throughout  the 
country,  man  for  man,  and  kept  under  surveillance 
until  reconciled  to  their  positions.  No  confiscation 
of  property  was  allowed,  and  after  taking  the  oath 
of  allegiance,  the  rebels  were  returned  to  their  homes. 

Setos  found  Imos  laboring  with  Hanabusa  and 
Ben  Hu  Barabe,  who  remained  loyal  to  Yermah. 
These  faithful  adherents  made  earnest  and  eloquent 
pleas  in  his  behalf;  but,  finding  themselves  powerless, 
withdrew  and  prepared  to  defend  the  city  against 
inevitable  attack. 

It  was  a  semicircular  bay,  five  thousand  feet  across, 
which  brought  the  water  to  Montgomery  Street  up 
to  the  days  of  'forty-nine.  From  a  line  parallel  with 
what  is  now  Market  Street,  but  a  little  to  the  north, 
was  a  grand  canal,  deep  and  wide  enough  to  accom 
modate  all  the  commerce  of  Tlamco.  These  waters 
terminated  in  a  basin  near  the  junction  of  present- 
day  Van  Ness  Avenue  and  Market  Street,  where  a 
circular  port  of  entry  was  strongly  fortified. 

387 


388  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Leading  from  this  was  a  broad  avenue,  which 
ended  in  another  circular  building,  half  a  mile  nearer 
the  Observatory,  and  in  a  direct  line  with  it.  This 
was,  in  modern  parlance,  a  bonded  warehouse,  and 
was  amply  protected. 

The  port  of  entry  was  in  the  center  of  a  circle 
which  included  Telegraph  Hill,  Lone  Mountain  and 
the  Potrero  hills,  all  of  which  were  formidable  forti 
fications.  Rincon  Hill,  south  and  directly  opposite 
Telegraph  Hill,  guarded  the  entrance  to  the  canal, 
while  Yerba  Buena  Island,  on  the  east,  lined  with  its 
center. 

A  hostile  fleet  sailing  around  Telegraph  Hill  would 
be  under  fire  from  these  forts,  and  as  they  came  into 
the  canal  an  assault  could  be  made  on  them  from  the 
ramparts  and  battlements  of  Nob  Hill. 

Should  enemies  approach  the  port  of  entry,  they 
would  be  in  range  of  the  mangonel  batteries  at  East 
Temple,  Alamo  Hill,  and  the  Temple  of  Venus, 
which  also  shielded  the  bonded  warehouse  and  the 
main,  or  eastern,  avenue  to  the  city.  On  the  top  of 
the  hill,  was  another  fortification,  guarding  the  ap 
proaches  to  the  Observatory,  which  had  a  complete 
system  of  defense  in  itself. 

South  of  the  Potrero  Hill  fort  was  a  harbor  for 
the  balsas.  It  is  now  a  broad  marsh  intersected  by 
Islais  Creek.  A  curved  canal  separated  two  fortified 
hills  and  turned  west  to  within  the  radius  of  the 
Camp  of  Mars.  The  waterway  skirted  the  closely 
guarded  fortification  on  Bernal  Heights. 

From  time  immemorial  Mars  was  not  only  con 
sidered  the  god  of  war  but  the  guardian  of  sailors  as 
well. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  camp,  a  road  ran  south, 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  389 

parallel  with  what  is  now  Valencia  Street  direct  to 
the  port  of  entry.  This  was  the  only  approach  from 
the  south,  and  was  well  protected  by  the  armored 
hills,  where  the  granaries  and  storehouses  were  lo 
cated. 

Much  of  the  food  supply  came  by  this  route. 

Due  west  of  Bernal  Heights  is  a  companion  hill, 
which  was  garrisoned  and  used  as  a  signal  station, 
being  on  a  line  with  Mount  Olympus,  and  from  the 
high  Observatory  tower  news  could  be  flashed  to  all 
the  outlying  stations. 

The  center  of  the  port  of  entry  lined  exactly  with 
Telegraph  Hill.  By  this  means  a  message  could  be 
sent  from  Hanabusa's  quarters  to  Mount  Olympus 
and  Lone  Mountain  direct,  and  thence  to  the  port  of 
entry  and  Telegraph  Hill,  thus  making  it  easy  to 
command  the  entire  situation. 

The  horsemen's  camp  lay  close  to  laqua,  west  of 
the  Observatory,  while  the  spearsmen's  grounds  were 
east.  From  these  points  were  trained  catapults, 
loaded  with  highly  explosive  lead  cylinders  filled  with 
sharp  spikes.  Mixed  with  the  spikes  were  balls  con 
taining  a  stifling,  overpowering,  deadly  smell,  which 
were  exploded  in  the  air,  to  shower  the  inhabitants, 
barracks  and  forts. 

******* 

Setos  saw  with  the  eye  of  a  military  genius  the 
advantage  to  himself  of  a  sudden  attack,  and  as  a 
politician  he  felt  the  danger  of  remaining  inactive 
in  such  treacherous  times.  With  a  long,  hissing 
screech,  four  rockets  shot  into  the  sky  from  the  signal- 
stations,  electrifying  some,  but  prostrating  the  spirits 
of  those  who  loved  law  and  order. 

Instantly,  the  warriors  rushed  pell-mell  into  the 


390  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

streets  and  confusion  seized  the  populace,  who  ran 
about  aimlessly,  and  looked  into  each  other's  faces 
with  half-averted  eyes,  like  members  of  a  family  who 
are  determined  to  punish  one  another,  but  not  too 
severely. 

Around  what  is  now  known  as  Potrero  Point  came 
a  fleet  of  thirty  balsas,  with  the  blades  of  the  rowers 
flashing  in  the  sunlight  as  they  rocked  and  glided 
over  the  choppy  waves  of  the  bay. 

Rowing  swiftly  to  the  Rincon  Hill  fort,  they  em 
barked  a  strong  force  of  spearsmen  who  were  still 
loyal  to  Yermah. 

Ponderous  mangonels  capable  of  throwing  darts 
twenty  feet  long,  shod  with  bronze  points  and 
securely  lashed  to  the  shaft  with  strips  of  bull's-hide, 
surmounted  each  fort.  This  formidable  weapon  car 
ried  a  distance  of  several  hundred  feet  with  sufficient 
force  to  penetrate  the  side  of  a  stoutly  built  balsa. 

On  the  poop  of  the  foremost  galley  stood  Hana- 
busa,  in  full  armor,  with  a  black  plume  in  his  helmet, 
while  beside  him  was  Ben  Hu  Barabe.  They  were 
both  tall  and  powerful  men,  and  the  grim,  deter 
mined  expression  on  their  faces  augured  ill  for  the 
insurgents.  Soon  their  balsas  were  gliding  over  the 
smooth  waters  of  the  semicircular  entrance  to 
the  canal  and  making  directly  for  it. 

"  Beware  of  the  bolt !  "  shouted  Ben  Hu  Barabe, 
and  every  man  threw  himself  under  the  stout  oaken 
seats  of  the  oarsmen,  as  a  murderous  missile  rose 
high  in  the  air  and  fell  with  a  crash  on  the  stone 
coping  of  the  canal,  sending  a  shower  of  splinters 
over  the  men. 

"  There  is  little  danger  to  fear  here,"  said  Hana- 
busa,  "  as  the  east  fort  is  still  in  our  possession.  It 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  391 

stands  midway  between  the  gangway  and  basin  at  the 
end  of  the  canal,  and  forms  the  strategic  key  to  the 
operations  to-day.  Yermah  will  lead  a  force  between 
that  fortress  and  the  granaries,  as  if  ready  to  fall 
upon  the  city,  whilst  we,  with  our  noisy  drums  and 
trumpets,  draw  the  rebels  north  of  the  canal,  to 
repulse  our  feigned  attack." 

"  Wilt  thou  forgive  me  for  asking  if  this  is  thine 
own  or  Yermah's  plan?  " 

"  It  is  the  Dorado's  instruction.  He  is  proving 
to  be  a  worthy  disciple  of  the  great  tactician,  Akaza, 
who  never  failed  to  gain  a  victory.  See  1  They  are 
warned  of  our  approach." 

As  Yermah  had  predicted,  the  revolted  troops,  not 
being  commanded  by  a  leader  skilled  in  strategy, 
had  signaled  to  the  forts  around  the  city  for  re- 
enforcements,  and  then  turned  toward  the  canal  to 
repulse  the  invaders. 

A  rocket  was  sent  up  from  East  Temple,  signaling 
the  defenders  to  disembark  south  of  the  canal.  See 
ing  this,  the  insurgents  swept  around  the  basin  to 
engage  in  a  close-range  combat  and  overwhelm  Han- 
abusa  and  Ben  Hu  Barabe  by  superior  numbers. 

Before  they  could  execute  this  maneuver,  the  glit 
tering  ranks  of  Yermah's  own  household  guards 
marched  through  the  pass  between  Las  Papas  and 
the  Mission  Hills,  south  of  East  Temple,  with  a 
company  of  horsemen  bringing  up  the  rear. 

The  two  columns  marched  side  by  side,  but  sep 
arate,  that  on  the  right  charging  the  insurgents  on 
the  right  flank.  There  were  about  three  thousand 
men  hemmed  in  between  their  own  ranks  and  Hana- 
busa's  command. 

Finding  they  were  cut  off  from  the  main  body,  the 


392  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

rebels  made  a  desperate  and  gallant  defense,  but 
were  obliged  to  surrender,  with  half  their  force  either 
killed,  wounded,  or  made  captive. 

Simultaneously,  the  main  column  under  Yermah 
wheeled  toward  the  Observatory,  driving  their  ene 
mies  before  them  with  great  slaughter.  The 
Dorado's  guard  swept  over  the  rising  ground  between 
the  center  of  the  city  and  the  Observatory  in  a  solid 
phalanx  nine  deep.  Behind  them  came  detachments 
from  the  fleet  at  the  head  of  the  canal,  who  harassed 
the  stragglers  and  completed  the  general  rout. 

Archers  and  swordsmen,  cutlass  and  javelin 
wielders  excelled  each  other  in  feats  of  generous 
daring,  while  shield  clanked  against  shield,  and 
spearsmen  tilted  against  spearsmen,  in  the  shock  and 
clamor  of  fratricidal  warfare. 

Underneath  all  their  apparent  fury  was  a  fraternal, 
conciliatory  spirit,  causing  the  insurgents  to  make 
only  a  half-hearted  fight  against  their  hereditary 
leader. 

The  revolted  troops  were  oppressed  by  a  secret 
fear  that  Yermah's  soul  was  perjured;  but  this 
did  not  overcome  their  inherent  sense  of  loyalty  to 
him. 

"  Down  with  the  Mazaleels !  "  urged  Setos,  now 
in  the  thick  of  the  fight.  "  Spare  not  a  single  apos 
tate!  If  thou  art  true-hearted  Turghatis,  stand  by 
the  old  beliefs." 

He  spurred  his  horse  into  the  fray,  shouting : 

"Mazaleel!  Mazaleel!  Mazaleel!  Who  loves 
a  Mazaleel?" 

"  Kill !  Slay !  Burn  1  Fire  every  building !  Do 
duty  with  torch  and  sword !  "  hoarsely  commanded 
Imos,  seeing  that  the  lines  about  the  Observatory 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  393 

trenches  were  wavering.  "  Who  will  help  me  cut  a 
way  through  to  the  canal?" 

Urged  forward  by  his  example  and  words,  a  body 
of  warrior-priests  threw  themselves  against  Hana- 
busa's  flank,  and  succeeded  in  driving  him  to  the 
water's  edge.  Many  of  the  oarsmen  tried  to  re- 
embark,  but  the  fleet  was  on  fire  and  a  swift  and  ter 
rible  conflict  ensued. 

In  the  meantime,  Yermah  had  stormed  the  eastern 
entrance  to  the  Observatory,  which  finally  yielded, 
and  he  rode  in  under  the  mocking  inscription : 

"  Peace  and  Good  Will  Abide  With  Thee." 

"  The  victory  is  ours !  "  he  cried,  sheathing  his 
sword,  and  surveying  the  Temple  of  Venus  on  his 
left,  apparently  deserted. 

"  Take  a  dozen  horsemen,"  said  he  to  an  aide, 
"  and  ascertain  if  the  vestals  are  safe.  If  so,  we 
will  send  a  strong  guard  to  prevent  further  disorder 
and  then  retreat;  for  it  is  not  seemly  to  fight  our 
brethren." 

As  rapidly  as  possible,  reconnoitering  parties  were 
dispatched  to  discover  the  damage  done  and  to  pro 
vide  suitable  care  for  the  killed  and  wounded.  To 
this  day  the  native  American  races  make  strenuous 
efforts  to  prevent  their  dead  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  an  enemy. 

The  defeated  troops  were  ordered  back  to  quarters 
and  Setos  was  seized  and  brought  before  Yermah. 

"  Back  into  thy  houses  under  penalty  of  arrest!  " 
shouted  the  mounted  patrol,  as  they  galloped 
through  the  streets,  and  rode  down  the  turbulent 
mob.  Soon  the  cry  went  up : 

"  Setos  is  in  chains !  Run  for  thy  life !  "  This 
startling  news  sent  the  crowd  flying  in  every  direction, 


394  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

until  even  the  stout-hearted  seemed  paralyzed  by  the 
result,  and  the  defeated  ones  slunk  away  to  their 
homes,  like  children  caught  in  an  act  of  disobedience. 

The  men  were  secretly  humiliated  and  ashamed, 
none  of  that  generation  having  ever  been  guilty  of 
insurrection,  and  they  stood  aghast  at  sight  of  the 
carnage  and  slaughter. 

The  shamans  and  priestesses  ministered  to  the 
wounded  and  dying,  and  many  heart-rending  scenes 
were  enacted  on  the  spot  where  some  turbulent  spirit 
had  received  its  quietus. 

The  marketplace  and  temple  walls  were  gallantly 
defended  and  by  nightfall  comparative  order  reigned 
in  the  city  itself,  though  heavy  firing  from  the  forts 
told  of  the  strife  along  the  banks  of  the  canal. 

Imos,  aided  by  a  band  of  fanatical  warrior-priests, 
was  doing  all  in  his  power  to  destroy  the  fleet.  Han- 
abusa  was  retreating  slowly  with  his  shattered  forces, 
but  every  inch  of  the  ground  was  being  stubbornly 
contested.  As  darkness  came  on,  the  balsas  slipped 
by  unobserved,  and  Hanabusa  steered  for  the  Camp 
of  Mars  with  less  than  half  of  his  original  numbers. 

The  battering-rams  and  catapults  had  done  deadly 
work  on  the  feebly  defended  Camp  of  Mars.  Here 
the  flood-gates  of  the  canal  had  been  opened  by  a  band 
of  marauding  insurgents,  under  cover  of  the  dark 
ness,  and  the  rising  tide  inundated  the  whole  plain. 

Imos  marched  rapidly  across  the  peninsula,  keep 
ing  well  out  of  range  of  the  mangonels,  and  was  in 
possession  of  the  camp  when  Hanabusa  arrived. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe  engaged  the  warrior-priests  in  a 
hand-to-hand  struggle,  while  Hanabusa  hastened  to 
the  signal  tower  only  to  find  it  dismantled.  There 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  395 

being  no  way  to  inform  Yermah  of  his  desperate 
straits,  he  rushed  back  to  his  house,  and  hurriedly 
securing  things  necessary  for  flight,  joined  in  the 
unequal  contest  Ben  Hu  Barabe  and  a  handful  of 
men  kept  up  at  the  water's  edge. 

In  the  uncertain  light,  the  commander  could  dis 
cern  only  three  seaworthy  balsas,  and  into  these  his 
followers  scrambled,  and,  pulling  Ben  Hu  Barabe 
aboard,  put  to  sea,  closely  pursued  by  the  leaky,  dis 
abled  or  badly  manned  balsas  which  had  already  been 
captured  by  the  enemy. 

On  the  heels  of  Hanabusa's  flight  came  a  company 
of  horsemen,  sent  by  Yermah,  who  dashed  into  camp 
with  drawn  sabers  and  boldly  demanded  the  surren 
der  of  Imos.  Realizing  that  he  was  completely  sur 
rounded  and  that  resistance  was  useless,  the  high- 
priest  suffered  himself  to  be  put  on  horseback  and 
carried  back  to  laqua.  Upon  arriving  there  he  was 
brought  before  Yermah,  in  company  with  Setos. 

"  Why  hast  thou  made  war  upon  me,  Setos?  " 

"  Because  the  Azes  deem  thee  unfit  to  rule  them," 
was  the  blunt  answer. 

"  I  have  no  desire  for  temporal  power.  Hadst 
thou  confided  thy  ambition  to  me,  I  would  have  aided 
thee." 

"  Thou  hast  mistaken  me.  I  am  only  an  instru 
ment  in  the  hands  of  Providence  for  the  deliverance 
of  Tlamco,"  answered  Setos,  in  his  best  temple-serv 
ice  manner. 

"  Thou  art  incapable  of  delivering  thyself,  much 
less  Tlamco.  But  I  desire  thee  to  become  Grand 
Servitor.  Art  thou  willing  to  accept  its  full  im 
port?" 


396  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Setos  could  scarcely  believe  his  ears.  Was  the 
Dorado  speaking  from  choice,  or  was  he  sore  beset, 
and  capitulating  on  the  best  possible  terms? 

"  What  dost  thou  mean  by  the  full  import?  " 

"  The  law  dost  require  thee  to  marry.  Thou 
mayst  not  demand  the  oath  of  allegiance  without  a 
consort.  Atlantis  no  longer  exists  and  thou  must  be 
responsible  for  the  succession." 

Setos  opened  his  eyes  wide  in  astonishment  when 
the  real  nature  of  the  situation  dawned  upon  him  and 
he  realized  that  fear  had  nothing  to  do  with  Yer- 
mah's  abdication.  As  soon  as  he  could  recover  him 
self,  he  answered: 

"  I  am  willing  to  fulfill  thy  conditions." 

"  Not  my  conditions,  but  the  law  of  the  ages," 
corrected  the  Dorado,  with  a  frown.  "  Rahula  has 
long  been  thy  willing  handmaid.  Wilt  thou  espouse 
her?" 

"  Yes." 

"And  to-night?" 

'Yes;  but  canst  thou  say  as  much  for  her?" 

"  She  shall  answer  for  herself,  as  she  is  already 
under  this  roof.  And  while  the  tamanes  conduct  her 
here,  wilt  thou  tell  me,  Imos,  why  thou,  too,  art  in 
bloody  array  against  me?" 

Encouraged  by  Setos's  success,  Imos  answered 
boldly: 

"  Because  thou  art  a  lost  soul,  and  art  unworthy 
to  succeed  Akaza." 

"  For  his  sake  must  I  endure  persecution.  But 
thou  art  rash  in  attempting  to  defy  the  Brotherhood. 
Thou  art  enslaved  by  forbidden  ambition."  Yer- 
mah's  voice  quivered  with  suppressed  anger,  and  his 
eyes  blazed  scornfully,  but  he  kept  himself  under 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  397 

control.  Catching  Rahula's  eye  as  she  entered,  he 
said  with  cutting  emphasis : 

"  Every  soul  is  lost  on  the  downward  spiral,  and 
can  only  regain  its  original  position  by  a  long  and 
painful  succession  of  incarnations.  Desire  is  the 
prison-house  of  the  ego." 

Rahula  stood  abashed,  uncertain  how  much  Yer- 
mah  knew,  and  just  what  his  speech  implied.  An 
uncomfortable  and  awkward  silence  followed,  which 
Setos  finally  broke  by  stepping  forward  and  taking 
her  by  the  hand.  Then  he  asked  with  gentleness : 

"  Art  thou  willing  to  share  the  perils  of  office  with 
me?  Yermah  wishes  to  make  me  Servitor  of  the 
Azes." 

"  My  heart  acknowledges  no  other  master,  and 
my  happiness  is  indissolubly  linked  with  thy  fortunes. 
I  am  willing  to  serve  thee."  She  spoke  in  a  low 
voice,  while  a  flush  of  triumph  overspread  her  coun 
tenance.  She  was  almost  as  much  surprised  as  Setos 
had  been. 

"  Name  thy  witnesses,  and  let  Imos  hear  thy  mar 
riage  vows  at  once.  Matters  of  state  compel  haste." 

All  three  hated  him,  but  they  obeyed  with  alacrity, 
nevertheless. 

"  I  will  administer  the  oath  of  office  at  sunrise, 
and  at  meridian  thou  must  be  ready  to  receive  the 
allegiance  of  Tlamco,"  said  Yermah  later,  before 
leaving  for  the  Temple  of  Neptune. 

He  had  not  lived  at  laqua  since  Orondo's  death. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-EIGHT 

THE  OATH  OF  ALLEGIANCE  TO  SETOS  AND  RAHULA 

SETOS  could  not  refuse  the  Dorado  an  armed 
escort.     But  there  was  treachery  in  the  very 
air,  and  Yermah  did  not  retire  when  he  found 
himself  alone  and  safe  inside  the  temple  walls. 

He  could  hear  Oghi  howling  dismally  in  the  stable 
inclosure  and  in  the  intense  stillness  he  heard  Cibolo 
pawing  the  ground  and  snorting  as  if  some  one  were 
prowling  on  the  outside. 

Opening  the  door  cautiously,  the  hierophant  peeped 
into  the  long,  empty  aisles,  dim  and  shadowy  in 
the  faint  light  flickering  from  the  lamps  overhead. 
None  of  his  senses  relaxed  vigilance,  as  he  pressed 
his  ear  close  to  the  floor  and  listened  intently. 

Yermah  had  not  long  to  wait  before  he  heard  a 
grating  sound,  as  if  some  heavy  body  were  being 
pushed  through  the  north  gate.  Returning  to  his 
room  he  hastily  tied  the  leathern  pouches  around  his 
waist  containing  the  relics  of  Keroecia  and  Akaza. 
He  grasped  his  sword  and  came  back  to  the  door, 
and  was  horrified  to  find  a  catapult  being  dragged 
into  position  almost  against  it. 

Recognizing  Imos,  it  flashed  over  him  that  the 
high-priest  had  seized  upon  Setos's  nuptial  night  to 
make  himself  hierophant;  but  his  blood  ran  cold  when 
he  thought  of  the  helplessness  of  the  recluses  around 
him. 

398 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  399 

Fear  and  distrust  counseled  against  apprising 
Setos  of  the  situation,  and  his  own  loyal  guards  were 
fast  asleep,  believing  him  safe  at  laqua. 

His  heart  almost  stopped  its  beating  when  he  com 
prehended  that  his  enemies  were  attempting  to  slip 
the  bolts  and  chains  of  the  door. 

Something  caused  him  to  turn  his  head  in  an  op 
posite  direction,  and  there  he  saw  an  apparition  of 
Keroecia,  luminous  and  perfect  in  outline.  He  could 
only  hold  the  image  a  moment;  but  she  smiled  and 
beckoned  to  him  as  she  flitted  through  the  doorway. 
Instinct  bade  him  follow  her. 

It  was  his  blood  for  which  the  rebels  thirsted,  and 
none  of  the  other  inmates  would  be  disturbed  — 
Yermah  thought,  as  he  ran  along  the  aisle. 

While  Yermah  was  unbolting  the  door,  a  projectile 
from  the  catapult  shivered  the  northern  entrance 
with  a  crash  that  rocked  and  shook  the  whole  struc 
ture.  The  aisles  filled  immediately  with  half-awak 
ened  monks,  but  their  voices  were  silenced  by  an 
explosion  against  the  opposite  wall,  which  sent  the 
spikes  flying  in  every  direction  and  felled  them  with 
stifling  and  deadly  odors. 

Yermah  could  never  remember  how  he  succeeded 
in  reaching  Cibolo's  stall.  The  sagacious  animal 
seemed  to  help  in  getting  into  his  trappings,  and 
Oghi  had  already  buried  his  teeth  in  the  back  of  a 
miscreant  slipping  up  to  the  half-opened  door  through 
which  Yermah  had  passed.  The  ocelot  darted  out 
of  the  inclosure  ahead  of  Yermah  —  all  the  tiger 
instincts  in  him  aroused  and  ready  to  attack  the  first 
thing  in  sight. 

Oghi  rolled  over  and  over  with  a  victim,  marking 
and  maiming  him  for  life.  The  man's  cries  brought 


400  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

assistance;  but  neither  arrows  nor  sword  thrusts  dis 
patched  the  assailant  until  several  persons  had  been 
wounded. 

The  Dorado  found  all  the  wall  entrances  locked 
from  the  outside,  which  accounted  for  the  absence 
of  guards  at  the  doors.  Escape  was  only  possible 
through  the  north-gate,  and  there  more  than  a  dozen 
warrior-priests  were  waiting  for  him. 

Man  and  beast  knew  there  was  desperate  work 
before  them,  but  they  were  nerved  for  the  encounter. 
As  he  dashed  past  Oghi,  Yermah  saw  with  a  sinking 
heart  that  the  poor  creature  was  writhing  in  its  death 
agony. 

Cibolo  laid  back  his  ears,  and  tried  to  take  a  piece 
out  of  the  arm  put  forward  to  seize  the  bridle. 
When  the  animal  found  that  he  could  not  break  the 
ranks  at  the  open  gate,  he  wheeled  and  kicked  at  the 
assailants  viciously. 

Yermah  reined  him  back,  and  charged  again, 
using  his  sword  arm  constantly.  A  spear-point 
pierced  the  upper  part  of  Cibolo's  neck,  causing  him 
to  squeal  shrilly,  while  an  arrow  went  through  the 
flesh  of  Yermah's  left  arm  near  the  shoulder,  break 
ing  the  point  on  his  armor.  A  well-directed  blow 
felled  his  antagonist,  and  horse  and  rider  cleared 
the  open  space  at  a  bound. 

The  Dorado  rode  straight  to  the  west  into  a  red 
wood  forest,  long  since  submerged.  Covered  with 
dust  and  faint  from  exhaustion  and  loss  of  blood, 
with  broken  armor  and  disordered  dress,  he  struggled 
on  toward  Tlamco's  Tower  of  Refuge,  situated  on 
an  artificial  hill  south  of  the  present  Alms  House. 

Upon  arrival  there,  he  found  the  citadel  filled  with 
women  and  children,  who  had  fled  from  Tlamco 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  401 

during  the  day,  and  among  them  were  Ildiko  and 
Alcyesta. 

Yermah.  only  took  time  to  bind  up  his  own  and 
Cibolo's  wound  before  making  his  way  through  Visi- 
tacon  Valley  to  the  bay,  where  Alcyesta  told  him 
Hanabusa  and  Ben  Hu  Barabe  were  expecting  him. 

"  The  Turghati  have  sworn  to  kill  thee,"  confided 
Alcyesta,  "  and  it  were  not  safe  for  thee  nor  for  thy 
followers  to  remain  even  here  in  this  tower." 

"  Before  daylight,  this  place  will  be  surrounded," 
added  the  keeper.  "  They  will  suspect  thy  hiding 
place.  Shouldst  thou  surrender  and  stand  trial,  thou 
knowest  behorehand  what  the  verdict  would  be." 

"  Be  advised  by  me,"  pleaded  Alcyesta.  "  For 
this  purpose  am  I  come." 

"  Ample  provision  has  been  made,"  urged  the 
keeper.  "  Go  thou  quickly.  I  fear  for  thy  safety." 

Seeing  that  Ildiko  prepared  to  accompany  them, 
Yermah  turned  to  her,  saying: 

"  Why  art  thou  here?  Thy  father  is  married  to 
Rahula,  and  will  be  proclaimed  Grand  Servitor  in 
a  few  hours." 

"  I  know  all  that  thou  sayest.  But  dost  thou  think 
I  should  be  allowed  to  live  at  laqua?  If  so,  thou 
knowest  neither  Setos  nor  Rahula." 

"  What  is  thy  purpose?  " 

;'  To  go  with  thee  and  thy  followers.  Do  not, 
I  beseech  thee,  turn  me  away,  since  I  should  be  left 
to  perish  miserably." 

"  That  is  thy  probable  fate  with  me." 

"  So  be  it." 

Seeing  that  she  was  not  to  be  dissuaded,  Yermah 
offered  no  further  objection. 

The  bay  extended  down  to  Monterey  at  that  time 


402  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

—  Monterey,  the  quaint  old  Spanish  town,  where 
the  first  American  flag  was  unfurled  on  this  coast. 

Hanabusa  had  managed  to  pick  up  six  other  balsas 
loaded  with  provisions  and  manned  by  stout  rowers 
whose  fealty  was  unquestioned. 

When  this  little  remnant  of  Atlantians  and  Monbas 
reached  the  seas  through  Monterey  Bay,  they  were 
the  last  of  the  Mazaleels  —  a  term  of  derision  ap 
plied  to  them  by  conservative  Azes.  Mazaleel  was 
simply  another  name  for  half-breed,  and  for  ages 
after  was  a  despised  epithet. 

Steadily  and  in  secret,  before  there  was  light 
enough  to  betray  their  movements,  the  conspirators 
wheeled  the  catapult  back  to  the  parade-grounds  near 
the  Observatory.  Thinking  that  Yermah  would  re 
turn  to  the  temple,  they  securely  closed  every  door 
and  window. 

None  of  the  monks  ever  awoke  from  their  first 
insensibility. 

Imos  ordered  the  stable-doors  to  be  left  open  and 
the  north-gate  ajar,  so  that  Yermah's  absence  might 
be  discovered  by  some  passer-by,  but  he  took  good 
care  to  be  at  home  when  the  news  flew  over 
Tlamco. 

He  was  the  first  to  suggest  that  the  Dorado's 
flight  was  to  conceal  a  crime,  and  was  properly 
shocked  and  horrified  when  the  facts  were  made 
known. 

With  a  preternaturally  long  face  and  proper  unc 
tion,  Imos  went  to  Setos,  and  offered  to  officiate  in 
Yermah's  stead. 

Setos  was  genuinely  surprised,  yet  not  displeased 
over  the  turn  of  affairs,  and  readily  agreed  with  Imos 
that  the  temple  should  be  razed  and  never  rebuilt. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  403 

He  had  always  opposed  the  White  Brotherhood,  and 
could  see  them  exterminated  without  regret. 

******* 

It  was  rather  an  imposing  procession  that  filed  out 
of  laqua  at  noon,  and  marched  over  the  rising 
ground,  lately  a  scene  of  bloodshed,  to  the  Temple 
of  the  Sun,  where  Setos  and  Rahula  were  to  receive 
the  fealty  of  the  populace. 

Each  male  adult  in  Tlamco,  brought  earth  in  a 
square  jar  and  water  in  a  deep  disk  for  an  oath-offer 
ing.  Unclasping  a  pair  of  interlaced  bracelets,  the 
citizen  placed  his  right  hand  flat  upon  one  band,  and, 
detaching  the  other,  carried  it  to  his  forehead,  say 
ing: 

"  Name  I  thee  to  witness,  I  make  loyal  oath  by 
two  rings.  So  help  me,  All  Powerful  One." 

This  formula  was  repeated  thousands  of  times  in 
the  next  three  days,  and  then,  in  response  to  a  general 
proclamation,  the  warriors  and  citizens  assembled 
to  give  burial  to  the  slain.  These  were  interred  in  a 
large  circle  at  the  base  of  Mount  Olympus,  with  their 
heads  turned  toward  the  center. 

Setos's  first  public  work  as  Servitor  was  to  erect  a 
tall  shaft  with  four  fire-altars  at  the  base,  on  the 
cardinal  points,  on  which  sacrifice  was  offered  to  the 
"  Martyrs  of  the  Lost  Soul,"  as  the  dead  in  this  con 
flict  were  subsequently  termed. 

Beginning  at  the  northern  side  of  East  Avenue, 
and  circling  in  a  radius  of  three  thousand  and  ninety 
feet  to  the  same  side  of  West  Avenue,  was  a  set  of 
pillars  supporting  a  low  crenellated  wall  along  which 
was  a  sentry-path,  used  for  public  observation  in  the 
residence  part  of  the  city. 

This  crescent  gave  the  distance  of  the  lost  planet 


404  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

from  the  center  of  Tlamco,  Mount  Olympus  being 
in  the  same  radiation.  It  was  indicated  again  from 
Las  Papas  to  Lime  Point,  and  also  from  Lone  Moun 
tain  to  the  artificial  sugar-loaf  surmounted  by  the 
Tower  of  Refuge,  south  of  Blue  Mountain,  and  be 
tween  Las  Papas  and  Strawberry  Hill. 

The  gilded  domes  on  the  Temple  of  the  Sun  were 
the  five-pointed  star  in  the  center  of  the  crescent,  a 
device  which  anciently  figured  as  the  lost  planet 1 — 
the  present  star  and  crescent  of  the  Turkish  Empire. 

1  A  planet  runs  through  its  grand  period  of  life  from  a  form 
less  nebula  to  a  globe,  which  solidifies  into  a  planet  with  or 
without  satellites.  It  is  involution  as  long  as  the  planet  is  in 
process  of  formation ;  but  when  matter  begins  to  manifest,  the 
first  step  in  evolution  is  taken,  which  goes  on  from  protoplasm 
to  man.  Then  comes  the  blooming-time,  when  this  flower  of 
space  will  scatter  its  seeds,  as  did  the  huge  planet  once  re 
volving  between  Jupiter  and  Mars. 

Where  once  was  unity,  light  and  power,  we  have  now  a  con 
fused  mass  of  asteroids  moving  in  eccentric  orbits.  This  was 
not  merely  the  experience  of  a  planet,  but  was  a  tragedy  of  the 
solar  system;  and  in  it  the  extremity  of  individualism  finds 
exemplification.  The  mind  of  humanity  is  broken  and  divided 
in  a  corresponding  manner.  Both  represent  the  fluid  side  of 
nature,  and  are  correlated  to  the  soul  on  the  downward  spiral. 

No  one  claims  that  the  ego  contacts  through  the  animal  king 
dom,  but  the  soul  of  desire  may. 

When  the  latter  does  so,  it  is  lost  —  until  brought  back  on 
the  upward  spiral  by  aspiration  and  harmony,  where  it  becomes 
one  with  Divinity. 


CHAPTER  TWENTY-NINE 

THE     MEMENTO     FOR     GENERATIONS BUILT     BY 

SERPENT  KINGS 

LL     \     LCYESTA,   hast  thou  the  silver  casket 
safe?  "  asked  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  as  soon  as 


A 


they  were  comfortably  afloat. 

"  Yes." 

"  Give  it  me." 

He  leaned  forward  eager  to  take  it,  but  she  held 
back,  saying: 

"  Dost  thou  remember  the  injunction  to  loosen  the 
eagles  in  time  of  peril  and  to  follow  their  lead?  " 

"  Yes.  I  have  freed  both  birds.  Dost  thou  not 
hear  the  cowardly  gulls  screeching  with  fright  be 
cause  of  the  eagles'  presence?" 

"  Then  thou  hadst  best  confide  thy  secret." 

"  Yermah,  wilt  thou  hear  me?  " 

"  If  it  is  to  accuse  thyself,  no  1  " 

"  It  is  to  give  into  thy  hands  a  message  from 
Akaza,  and  to  impart  to  thee  the  manner  of  its  com 
ing." 

"  Speak,"  returned  Yermah,  in  a  whisper. 

"  Before  the  awful  time  of  wrath,  a  pair  of  golden 
eagles  trained  in  falconry  were  intrusted  to  me  by 
our  beloved  high-priestess,  who  intended  them  to  be 
thy  companions  in  the  chase.  She  gave  me,  also, 
a  ring  set  with  diamonds,  which  I  carried  safely  until 
I  met  Akaza  after  we  left  our  battered  balsa.  I 

405 


406  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

should  never  have  known  how,  or  when,  the  ring 
and  the  birds  left  me,  had  I  not  received  this  from 
the  hierophant" 

He  handed  over  a  tiny,  silver  locket  taken  from  the 
casket  in  Alcyesta's  hand. 

Yermah  pressed  the  spring  and  revealed  a  ring, 
large  enough  for  his  thumb,  and  having  a  fine  silk 
tissue  evenly  fitting  its  broad  band. 

"  Before  removing  the  contents  of  this  locket,  hear 
me  fully,"  pleaded  Ben  Hu  Barabe.  "  This  treas 
ure  was  made  fast  in  a  leather  pouch,  which  was 
securely  tied  to  the  wing,  next  the  body,  of  one 
eagle.  Here  is  the  parchment  slipped  in  beside  it." 

Yermah  reached  out  his  hand,  but  Ben  Hu  Barabe 
retained  it. 

"  Thou  canst  not  read  without  more  light.  Hold 
a  lantern  close  by,"  he  ordered. 

When  the  tamane  obeyed,  Ben  Hu  Barabe  gave 
Yermah  the  writing. 

Beloved: 

The  eagle  shall  lead  thee  into  strange  lands.  Never  again 
wilt  thou  be  separated  from  Yermah.  Withhold  from  him 
all  knowledge  of  the  birds  until  such  time  as  thou  shalt  find 
him  in  great  danger. 

Then  loosen  and  follow  thy  guides. 

Akaza. 

The  Dorado  was  so  astonished  that  he  held  the 
parchment  on  his  knee  and  made  no  further  effort 
to  examine  the  tissue  message  for  himself. 

"  Well  do  I  remember  how  anxious  Keroecia  was 
about  this  ring.  She  went  every  day  to  superintend 
its  making." 

Alcyesta's  words  aroused  Yermah. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  407 

Unrolling  the  tissue,  he  saw  a  finely  traced  map, 
with  a  few  lines  written  on  the  margin : 

Yermah,  Beloved  of  the  Brotherhood: 

Follow  the  way  marked  out  before  thee. 

When  one  bird  hovers  in  the  air  while  the  other  sits  on 
a  rock  with  cactus  flowering  at  its  base,  halt  thou  and  receive 
thy  future  task  from  him  who  was  appointed  to  aid  thee. 

Go  willingly.  Thou  hast  no  further  mission  in  Tlamco. 
Fear  not. 

I  have  been  before  thee  —  and  am  with  thee  even  unto 
the  end  of  time.  Akaza. 

The  eagles  led  them  southward  by  sea  for  many 
days  after  leaving  Monterey  Bay,  but  on  coming 
ashore  they  traveled  inland  until  they  reached  the 
pueblos  of  the  Colorado. 

Here  they  were  evidently  expected  by  the  Brother 
hood,  who  reprovisioned  and  sent  them  forward. 

"  Thou  art  the  forerunners  of  an  exodus  which  will 
strip  this  fair  land  of  the  white  race  for  ages  to  come. 
Ice  imprisons  every  vestige  of  life  to  the  north,  and 
the  seeds  of  total  destruction  are  already  planted  in 
the  Llama  city.  Whither  thou  goest,  we,  too,  will 
follow.  Peace  be  thy  portion !  "  solemnly  spoke  the 
high-priest  in  adieu. 

It  would  not  have  been  a  very  difficult  journey 
down  the  singularly  even  plateau  stretching  beyond 
the  Colorado  to  far  Anahuac,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  dread  scourge  of  waters  flooding  the  plains  and 
settling  in  the  deep  cup  now  known  as  Tezcuco  Lake. 

Nature's  tropic  prodigality  had  done  much  to  hide 
the  ugly  scars  earned  in  a  life  and  death  struggle 
between  the  raging  water  courses  and  the  still  smok 
ing  mountain  peaks  muttering  curses  to  the  clouds. 


408  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

It  looked  as  if  the  earth  in  trembling  fright  had 
shaken  everything  down,  ready  for  the  receding 
waves  to  wash  into  the  sea. 

Forty  long,  weary  days,  the  little  party  pushed 
ahead. 

Cibolo,  the  gallant,  was  as  resolute  and  brave  as 
any  man  among  them;  but  even  the  eagles  seemed 
to  lose  their  bearings  occasionally,  and  then  Yermah 
called  aloud  to  Akaza : 

"  Make  me  to  know  thy  wishes.  Humbly  and 
obediently  will  I  follow  them." 

Instantly,  Cibolo's  ears  would  go  forward,  and 
with  a  start  he  would  shy  at  a  dim,  hazy  outline 
directly  in  front  of  him.  First  it  took  the  form  of 
Akaza;  then,  gradually  it  changed  into  the  beatific 
countenance  of  Keroecia. 

In  the  beginning  only  Yermah  could  discern  them, 
but  before  the  journey  was  completed  every  member 
of  the  party  saw  and  recognized  them. 

"  Thou  art  under  Divine  guidance,"  they  said  to 
Yermah,  and  held  him  in  higher  esteem  than  ever. 

On  the  last  day,  the  eagles  circled  in  the  air, 
screaming  uneasily,  and  refusing  to  go  forward. 

"  We  must  be  near  the  place,"  the  wanderers  said 
to  each  other,  in  awe-stricken  whispers. 

"  Dost  thou  not  see  the  rock  and  the  flowering 
cactus?  " 

"  One  eagle  sits  and  the  other  circles  — " 

"  O  Thou  seen  and  unseen  powers!  Search  our 
hearts,  that  thou  mayst  know  all  our  gratitude,"  cried 
the  Dorado,  falling  to  his  knees,  and  prostrating 
himself  on  the  ground,  an  act  which  was  quickly 
imitated  by  his  comrades. 

"  I  am  Gautama,"  said  a  voice. 


409 


When  Yermah  looked  up,  a  man  old  as  Akaza, 
stood  making  the  hierophant  sign  of  blessing  over 
him. 

"  Rise  and  receive  from  me  word  from  thy  be 
loved  teacher. 

"  Fear  me  not. 

"  These  hands  have  guided  thy  puny  baby  foot 
steps,  and  now  thou  must  lend  thy  strength  to  me. 
We  have  some  days  yet  before  thou  art  at  rest." 

The  survivors  were  near  the  ancient  site  of 
Tenochtitlan,1  then  a  dreary  waste  of  water,  with 
its  first  city  ingulfed,  but  to  have  rebirth  again  and 
again  until  the  present  time. 

Gautama  was  accompanied  by  two  of  the  Brother 
hood  and  some  tamanes,  amply  provided  with  food 
and  fresh  raiment,  which  they  gave  to  the  travelers. 

'  Thou  art  the  last  admitted,  and  art  the  youngest 
initiate,"  said  Gautama  to  Yermah,  later.  "  But 
thine  is  a  special  mission.  When  once  in  Cholula, 
I  shall  tell  thee  all.  Thou  art  anxiously  awaited." 

The  augmented  company  went  into  camp  for  the 
rest  of  the  day  but  they  resumed  travel  shortly  after 
sunrise,  the  next  morning. 

The  holy  city  of  Cholula  2  did  not  exist  in  those 
days. 

There  was  nothing  on  the  plain  but  the  splendid 
"  Memento  for  Generations,"  built  by  the  men  of 
Atlantis,  whose  descendants  were  gathered  into  the 
hungry  maw  of  the  sea. 

This  massive  pile  is  twice  the  length  of  the  Pyra 
mid  of  Cheops,  but  not  nearly  so  high.  A  long  cir- 

1  City  of  Mexico. 

2  Cholula   was  to  the  primitive  Americas,  what  Jerusalem   is 
to  the  Christian ;  Mecca,  to  the  Mohammedan ;  Benares,  to  the 
Brahman. 


410  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

cular  stairway  led  to  its  top,  which  measured  an  acre 
in  its  area,  and  supported  a  teocalli  —  the  last  temple 
of  the  Brotherhood  of  the  White  Star  which  was 
built  in  America. 

Nothing  could  be  more  sublime  and  beautiful  than 
the  view  from  the  top  of  this  pyramid.  Toward  the 
west  stretches  the  bold  barrier  of  porphyritic  rock 
which  nature  has  reared  around  the  valley  of  Mex 
ico,  v/ith  huge  Popocatepetl  and  Iztaccihuatl  stand 
ing  like  two  colossal  sentinels  guarding  the  entrance 
to  this  incomparable  region. 

The  word  pyramid  means  a  place  of  fire,  while 
Palai,  or  Pele,  of  the  Hawaiians,  is  the  spirit  of  the 
volcano  center,  or  precipice  of  fire,  as  a  pyramid 
was  often  called.  The  Arabic  word  Alcyone 
means  the  center,  or  cone,  the  spiritual  apex 
around  which  the  sun  and  all  the  sidereal  galaxy 
are  circling. 

The  two  mountains  represented  the  masculine  po 
tency  and  the  feminine  passivity  of  all  which  is 
generated  in  nature  giving  all  things  their  proportion. 
Acting  on  this  principle,  the  ancient  sculptors  down 
to  and  including  Phidias,  fixed  the  respective  heights 
of  man  and  woman  as  twenty  and  nineteen  palms 
of  one-third  of  a  foot  each,  up  to  the  organs  of 
casualty  and  comparison,  at  the  roots  of  the  hair  on 
the  forehead. 

Comparison  with  casualty  on  each  side  is  the 
psychometric  eye  —  the  Cyclopean  third  eye,  scouted 
by  the  would-be  wise.  Comparison  is  feminine; 
casualty  is  masculine. 

The  union  of  these  forms  the  true  vision  of  the 
soul,  which,  developed  to  its  fullest  capacity,  gives 
that  mysterious  faculty  of  psychic  perception,  com- 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  411 

parison  and  deduction  beyond  the  intellectual  compre 
hension  of  ordinary  man,  and  marks  the  adept. 

It  was  this  transcendent  power  which  the  Pyramid 
of  Cholula,  built  to  the  east  of  these  two  volcanoes, 
symbolized. 

Farther  in  the  same  direction,  towers  Orizaba, 
correlated  to  the  macrocosm,  of  which  the  Pyramid 
of  Cholula  was  the  microcosm. 

Orizaba  equals  the  height  of  Popocatepetl,  signi 
fying  that  the  adept  manifesting  energy  on  the  sub 
jective  plane  is  equal  in  function  to  the  cosmic  mind. 

In  this  capacity  the  initiate  is  Quetzalcoatl,  who, 
like  Osiris,  Krishna,  etc.,  was  black  —  that  is,  the 
unknowable  and  mysterious  in  Deity.  This  is  why 
Quetzalcoatl  is  always  shown  with  a  black  face,  al 
though  he  was  called  the  Fair  God.  He  belonged  to 
the  white  race,  and  was  the  Aztec  Yermah. 

The  antediluvians  —  the  men  who  invented  archi 
tecture  —  used  the  human  form,  the  pyramid,  the 
pentagram,  and  the  interlaced  triangles  as  a  basis  of 
measure  and  form. 

The  pyramid  and  pentagram  denote  the  cone,  or 
center,  of  sacred  fire;  the  interlaced  triangles  were 
the  balance  of  spirit  and  matter;  while  the  obelisk 
was  intended  to  show  the  purified  nature  of  man. 

The  pillar  of  fire  of  Jacob  was  an  obelisk.  So 
were  Stonehenge,  Ellora,  the  Babel  towers  of  Central 
America,  Babylon  and  Judea,  the  gigantic  ruins  over 
all  Tartary  and  India,  and  the  totem-pole  of  the 
Eskimo  —  even  the  tombstones  have  the  same  grand 
origin. 

That  the  obelisk  everywhere  outside  of  Egypt  be 
came  a  sign  of  the  phallus  does  not  alter  its  primal 
significance  nor  militate  against  it. 


412  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

The  pyramid  was  often  called  the  Pillar  of  the 
Cosmos  because  it  is  the  ideal  form  of  the  principle 
of  stability,  and  cannot  be  assailed  by  any  of  the 
four  elements. 

Its  tapering  form  guards  it  from  destruction  by 
earthquake;  nor  can  it  be  overturned;  and  it  is  proba 
bly  the  only  fireproof  structure  in  the  world. 

The  immense  base  and  weight  render  it  secure  from 
floods ;  nor  can  the  wind  get  sufficient  purchase  to  do 
any  damage. 

Even  the  insidious  encroachments  of  Time  itself 
are  baffled  and  outwitted  by  this  cunningly  constructed 
pile.  It  is,  also,  a  perfect  instrument  for  estimating 
the  weight  of  the  earth ;  and,  it  is  an  excellent  astro 
nomical  observatory. 

In  its  central  chamber  the  temperature  never 
varies. 

Does  any  one  believe  this  is  the  result  of  chance  ? 

Will  any  part  of  to-day's  civilization  survive  the 
same  flight  of  years? 

Posterity  has  no  claim  on  us  which  individualism 
—  the  god  of  the  age  —  respects;  nor  will  it  require 
a  cataclysm  to  destroy  any  of  the  works  of  to-day  on 
any  plane. 

Science  and  invention  make  many  discoveries,  but 
our  mental  flights  fall  far  short  of  the  ancients  in 
the  discernment  of  the  basic  principles  of  philosophy. 

In  religion  we  have  lost  the  meaning  of  the  simplest 
symbols,  and,  apparently,  we  do  not  understand 
where  to  place  the  credit  for  the  principles  and  pre 
cepts  we  profess  to  believe  and  practice. 

Gautama  led  the  travelers  on  by  the  west,  while 
far  away  to  the  east  was  seen  the  conical  head  of 
Orizaba,  soaring  high  into  the  clouds. 


413 


Near  by  was  the  barren,  though  beautifully  shaped, 
Malinche  Sierras,  casting  broad  shadows  over  the 
plains  of  Tlaxcala.  At  their  feet  lay  the  Pyramid 
of  Cholula,  reposing  in  denuded  gardens  in  the  once 
fairest  portion  of  the  plateau  of  Puebla. 

"  Thou  seest  but  a  remnant  of  former  glory,"  said 
Gautama.  "  We,  too,  have  bowed  to  the  chastening 
rod.  Only  such  as  climbed  the  long  flight  of  steps 
to  the  top  of  the  pillar  escaped  destruction.  Thou, 
too,  art  able  to  bear  witness?" 

It  was  like  probing  an  old  wound,  but  Yermah 
answered  bravely : 

"  The  lash  found  my  tender  parts,  but  I  am  learn 
ing  to  be  content." 

"  It  is  to  assist  thee  in  this  endeavor  that  I  am 
come.  When  once  thou  art  ascended  to  the  teocalli 
heights,  thou  mayst  not  return  again  until  thou  art 
fully  prepared.  Thy  next  labor  is  to  quash  doubtful 
inspiration.  Thou  art  still  leaning  on  thy  earth 
loves,  when  thou  art  commanded  to  have  but  one 
ideal  — " 

"  I  stand  face  to  face  with  inner  consciousness, 
and  hear  the  still  small  voice." 

"  He  hears  the  bells,  but  he  does  not  know  where 
they  hang,"  commented  the  priests  of  the  Brother 
hood,  smiling  at  each  other. 

"  Seclusion  in  rarefied  atmosphere,  where  the  whole 
basin  of  the  earth  has  been  purified,  will  give  peace 
beyond  thy  present  capacity  for  understanding,"  re 
turned  Gautama. 

"  Thy  will  be  done !  "  responded  Yermah. 

"  Thou  art  a  doer  of  penance,  and  must  be  able 
to  say  literally,  '  Thy  will  be  done !  ' 

The  devotees  were  ncaring  the  pyramid,  when  they 


414  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

were  met  by  a  delegation  of  priests,  who  crowned 
them  with  garlands,  and  conducted  them  up  the  first 
flight  of  steps.  On  the  truncated  face  of  the  terrace 
was  the  inscription: 

BEFORE    THE    LIGHT    WAS    OBSCURED 
THIS     MEMENTO     FOR     GENERATIONS 

WAS  BUILT  BY  SERPENT  KINGS 

THEY  WERE  SCATTERED  OVER  THE  EARTH 

TO  CARRY  TRUTH  AND  WISDOM 

THEY  WILL  COME  AGAIN 
TO  RECEIVE  THE  TREASURES 

HIDDEN  IN  THY  BOWELS 

ALL  MEN  WILL  SPEAK  AND  HEAR  THE 

I  AM  I 

The  thoughtful  band  was  allowed  to  rest  at  this 
juncture  of  their  pilgrimage  after  partaking  of  some 
refreshment;  but  they  ascended  to  the  top  of  the 
pile  in  time  to  see  the  sunset. 

Next  morning,  Yermah  called  his  small  aggrega 
tion  of  faithful  adherents  together,  and  told  them 
that  he  had  received  Akaza's  final  commands. 

"  It  imposes  upon  me  seclusion  in  this  spot.  There 
is  work  for  me  here,"  he  said  with  an  odd  smile. 
"  The  temple  requires  a  central  spire,  and  I  shall 
build  and  cover  it  with  pure  gold.  Go  thou  all  to 
the  valley,  and  make  thy  life  apart  from  me.  I  love 
thee  well  and  need  thee  sadly,  but  even  this  love 
must  be  merged  into  the  universal." 

"  What  wilt  thou  have  me  do?  "  asked  Hanabusa. 

"  Go  thou  and  build  a  balsa  capable  of  riding  the 
storm  and  stress  of  an  angry  sea.  In  twenty  luna 
tions  more  thou  must  be  prepared  to  go  voyaging 
with  me." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  415 

"  To  what  task  dost  thou  appoint  me?  "  It  was 
Ben  Hu  Barabe  who  spoke. 

"  Go  thou  amongst  thy  fellows  and  teach  them  the 
arts  of  peace.  Show  them  how  to  coax  back  fertility 
to  the  denuded  soil,  and  build  up  civil  power,  until 
I  call  thee." 

"Hast  thou  no  thought  for  me?"  asked  Ildiko. 

"  The  Brotherhood  will  guard  thee  until  such  time 
as  a  new  Temple  of  Venus  shall  arise  on  this  fair 
plain.  Seek  thou  knowledge  diligently,  that  thou 
mayst  be  able  to  teach  the  virgins  committed  to  thy 
care.  When  thou  art  separated  from  thy  beloved 
Alcyesta,  thou  wilt  be  conducted  to  a  refuge  in  this 
teocalli,  where  other  women  are  waiting  to  return  to 
their  homes." 

Seeing  that  she  made  a  brave  effort  to  keep  back 
tears,  he  added  gently: 

"  Be  not  downcast.  The  first  days  of  loneliness 
will  find  me  near  thee.  Shouldst  thou  need,  call,  and 
I  shall  come  straightway." 

To  Alcyesta,  he  said,  covering  her  hand  with  both 
his  own,  and  holding  it  close  to  his  breast : 

"  Promise  if  thine  unborn  shall  be  of  thy  sex,  thou 
wilt  name  her,  Keroecia  ?  " 

"  I  promise,"  she  returned,  "  and  if  it  should  be 
a  son,  wilt  thou  give  him  thy  name?" 

"  I  shall  be  to  thy  son  what  Akaza  was  to  me,  but 
thou  must  call  him  Gautamozin.  In  after  years,  he 
will  understand  the  significance  of  this  command."  l 

1  Gautamozin  —  meaning  son  of  Guatama  —  was  the  nephew 
of  Montezuma,  and  the  spiritual  leader  of  the  Aztecs  at  the  time 
of  the  conquest.  He  was  the  last  hierophant  of  the  Brotherhood 
of  Quetzalcoatl,  the  Aztec  Messiah.  He  defended  Mexico  City 
and  was  tortured  and  slain  by  Cortez.  The  statue  erected  in 
his  honor  in  the  Paseo  de  la  Reforma,  Mexico  City,  is  one  of 
the  finest  monuments  on  the  North  American  continent. 


CHAPTER  THIRTY 

YERMAH    RETURNS    TO    THE    MOUNTAIN    PEAKS    OF 
ATLANTIS 

THE  remnant  of  the  survivors  obeyed  the  will 
of  Yermah,  the  leader,  and  for  one  year 
he  was  a  recluse,  giving  himself  up  to  soli 
tary  meditation,  save  when  Gautama  came  to  converse 
with  him. 

In  that  time  Yermah  developed  rectitude  of  judg 
ment,  correct  appreciation,  breadth  of  view,  and  an 
all-roundness  of  perception,  habitually  associated 
with  a  well-balanced  and  perfectly  poised  mind  and 
character. 

As  an  initiate,  he  had  marvelous  sensibility  vi 
brating  to,  and  stirred  by  the  faintest  touch,  yet 
remaining  steadfast  in  purpose,  because  he  saw  all 
things  in  their  proper  proportion  and  estimated  them 
at  their  real  value. 

Possessed  of  discrimination,  Yermah  perceived 
the  relative  permanency  of  all  that  had  befallen  him. 
Measuring  all  by  the  standard  of  the  Eternal,  he 
was  not  swept  out  of  equilibrium  by  any  temporary 
or  illusive  appearance. 

Exaggeration,  over-coloring,  all  that  savored  of 
unreality  or  falsehood,  was  absolutely  foreign  to  his 
nature.  Yermah,  the  hierophant,  was  no  cold  abstrac 
tion,  too  self-absorbed  to  think  and  to  feel  deeply  — 
but  he  was  strong  in  the  love  that  gives,  equally  joyful 

416 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  417 

though  he  who  received  knew  not  the  source.  He 
never  repaid  injury  or  scorn.  This  quality  showed 
itself  in  many  ways. 

In  quick  and  ready  sympathy;  in  alertness  to  see; 
in  watchfulness  to  note  the  needs  of  the  hour ;  in  the 
constant,  instinctive  attitude  of  mind  which  spon 
taneously  saw  and  felt  every  opportunity  to  give  — 
whether  it  were  service  or  sympathy,  silence  or  speech, 
presence  or  absence  —  in  short  every  attribute  of 
character  defining  utter  selflessness,  rounded  and 
molded  the  strong  individuality  of  YERMAH,  THE 

DORADO. 

When  the  recluse  began  to  mingle  freely  with  the 
Brotherhood,  he  was  quickly  made  aware  of  all  that 
was  transpiring,  not  only  in  the  pueblo  of  Cholula, 
but  also  among  outside  colonies. 

There  was  never  a  day  when  some  pilgrim  did  not 
climb  the  zigzag  stairways  to  see,  and  to  receive  ad 
vice  from  him.  No  attention  was  paid  to  their 
comings  and  goings,  and  it  was  not  thought  unusual 
when  a  stranger  approached  and  asked  for  Yermah. 

"  Cezardis,  why  hast  thou  left  Tlamco?"  asked 
Yermah,  as  he  embraced  his  visitor. 

"  I  am  come  to  request  thee  to  return.  Thou  hast 
many  devoted  friends  there  to  mourn  thy  absence." 

"  Is  not  Setos  master  of  the  councilmen?  " 

"  Yes;  and  he  has  most  grievously  taxed  and  out 
raged  the  Azes." 

"  I  am  not  surprised,"  said  Yermah,  calmly.  "  He 
is  by  nature  fiery  and  imperious,  combative  and  blood 
thirsty.  The  restraining  influence  of  Saturn  held  him 
in  check  for  a  time,  but  now  it  will  add  malefic 
tendencies." 

"  Of  late,  he  has  been  trying  to  bring  about  chem- 


418  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

ical  affinities,  investigating  secret  laws,  and  dabbling 
in  the  knowledge  forbidden  an  earthy  mortal.  He 
overeats,  and  sends  in  haste  for  a  shaman  and  priest 
while  all  Tlamco  waits.  He  will  allow  no  business 
transacted  when  he  is  sick.  Fully  half  our  time  is 
spent  in  the  temples  praying  for  him.  We  have  no 
choice,  as  he  is  the  self-appointed  guardian  of  our 
morals  and  compels  attendance." 

Cezardis's  words,  looks  and  actions  betrayed  his 
feelings. 

"  How  is  it  with  Imos?  " 

"  He  is  given  unlimited  power,  because  he  allowed 
Setos  to  espouse  Oahspe,  the  vestal.  This  power  he 
uses  to  advance  his  own  interests." 

"  Dost  thou  say  Setos  hath  another  wife?  I  gave 
him  Rahula." 

"  So  thou  didst.  But  she  bore  him  no  heir;  ancl 
on  this  pretext,  Setos  has  two  wives,  instead  of  one; 
and,  he  makes  it  lawful  for  any  man  to  do  the  same." 

"  Poor  hot-tempered  Rahula  !  How  doth  she  bear 
the  new  affliction?" 

"  She  hath  obliterated  her  own  individuality  until 
she  is  an  echo  whom  Setos  values  no  more  than  the 
mats  under  his  feet." 

Yermah  sent  Cezardis  away  for  rest  and  refresh 
ment  before  giving  an  answer,  when  he  was  again 
urged  to  return  to  Tlamco. 

As  soon  as  he  was  alone  Yermah's  mind  reverted 
to  its  normal  condition,  and  he  was  entirely  dispas 
sionate  in  his  reply. 

"  I  cannot  comply  with  thy  wishes,  Cezardis,"  he 
said.  "  Not  that  I  dread  the  conflict  inevitable  with 
the  overthrow  of  Setos.  I  have  another  and  more 
difficult  battle  to  fight." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  419 

"  I  have  made  oath  not  to  return  without  thee, 
and  I  will  not.  The  whole  country  is  preparing  to 
follow  thee  south,  and  thou  art  the  only  one  capable 
of  holding  them  back." 

"  Nothing  can  stay  the  exodus.  It  is  the  breaking 
up  of  old  lines.  A  new  dispensation  is  beginning, 
and  the  present  order  must  pass  forever." 

"Wilt  thou  let  me  serve  thee?  I  would  have 
come  with  thee  in  the  beginning,  had  I  known." 

Cezardis  was  aware  that  Yermah  could  not  refuse 
to  accept  his  offer.  It  was  an  old-time  custom  for 
one  man  to  serve  another,  voluntarily,  and  the  serv 
ant's  was  the  honored  position.  To  serve  sweetly 
in  any  capacity  was  the  aspiration  animating  this 
entire  dispensation. 

The  Dorado  smiled  as  he  said: 

"  Thou  wilt  be  the  last  to  make  such  an  offer. 
The  generations  following  will  reverse  our  beliefs 
and  practices.  Go  thou  to  Ben  Hu  Barabe,  and  tell 
him  to  give  Hanabusa  leave  to  stock  his  balsa  with 
food  and  raiment  for  five  men.  See  to  it  that  there 
is  plenty,  for  thou  art  of  the  company." 

Yermah  worked  incessantly  for  several  days  mak 
ing  a  llama  of  silver,  as  an  emblem  of  suffering 
innocence.  Its  belly  was  a  golden  sunburst,  and  it 
was  seated  upon  the  back  of  an  eagle,  rescuing  a 
rabbit  from  the  fangs  of  a  serpent.  This  repre 
sented  the  unequal  conflict  between  good  and  evil; 
but  the  serpent  being  obliged  to  give  up  its  prey, 
manifested  the  final  triumph  of  goodness. 

There  were  eight  altars  in  the  temple;  and,  at 
sunset  on  the  last  day  of  his  stay,  Yermah  placed  the 
llama  on  the  altar  facing  the  east.  Simultaneously 
with  this  act,  Gautama  headed  a  procession  at  the 


420  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

base  of  the  pyramid,  which  slowly  climbed  to  the 
top. 

The  worshipers  performed  a  sacrifice  on  each  of 
the  four  terraces,  and  did  not  reach  the  temple  until 
midnight. 

They  found  Yermah  in  the  great,  dark  structure, 
intently  watching  the  constellation  of  the  Pleiades. 
As  Alcyone  approached  the  zenith  he  sprang  forward 
with  a  glad  cry,  and  vigorously  swinging  a  copper 
hammer,  made  the  sparks  fly  from  a  granite  rock. 

The  venerable  Gautama  held  the  cotton,  and  care 
fully  nursed  the  sparks  into  a  blaze.  As  the  light 
streamed  up  toward  the  heavens,  shouts  of  joy  and 
triumph  burst  forth  —  for  once  more  the  children 
of  men  received  a  direct  ray  from  the  spiritual  sun. 

Carriers  with  torches  lighted  at  the  blazing  beacon 
ran  in  every  direction,  carrying  the  cheering  element 
to  every  part  of  the  country.  Long  before  sunrise 
it  was  brightening  the  altars  and  hearthstones  every 
where. 

Yermah  sent  up  orisons  from  the  eastern  altar, 
and  then  took  an  affectionate  farewell  of  the  priests 
in  attendance,  but  before  beginning  to  descend  he 
gazed  long  at  the  matchless  scenery  below. 

Soft  spring  verdure  lay  everywhere,  and  he  drew 
courage  and  inspiration  from  the  fact  that  the  lower 
forms  of  creation  neither  sulked  nor  held  back  be 
cause  the  elements  had  been  remorselessly  cruel  to 
them. 

Wherever  there  was  enough  soil  to  support  plant- 
life,  flowers  and  grasses  put  forth,  and  all  nature 
was  making  a  brave  effort  to  swing  back  into  har 
mony. 


Gautama  walked  with  him,  and  so  did  an  unseen 
host  led  by  Akaza  and  Keroecia. 

The  Dorado  wore  all  the  insignia  of  his  office. 
He  had  a  cloth-of-gold  robe,  and  a  pale  violet  mantle. 
On  his  head  was  a  high  cap  of  the  same  color  crested 
with  jewels.  There  were  jeweled  sandals  on  his  feet, 
and  he  carried  a  caduceus  of  silver  running  through 
a  circle,  which  was  a  gold  serpent  with  its  tail  in  its 
mouth. 

At  the  foot  of  the  pyramid  Yermah  found  Alcy- 
esta  and  her  infant  son  waiting  for  his  blessing. 
Beside  her  was  Ildiko,  in  the  white  robes  of  a  high- 
priestess,  surrounded  by  the  few  vestals  possible  to 
the  depleted  numbers. 

Ben  Hu  Barabe,  Hanabusa  and  Cezardis  were 
ready  to  accompany  him. 

Taking  a  handful  of  salt  and  holding  the  baby  up 
to  the  sun  with  the  left  hand,  Yermah  spake : 

"  By  right  of  initiation,  I  name  thee  Gautamozin, 
and  by  the  power  of  adeptship  endow  thee  with 
Brotherhood  inheritance.  Thou  shalt  have  a  long 
line;  but  the  last  of  thy  name  shall  be  as  I  am,  a 
sacrifice  to  another  order  of  being." 

As  Yermah  ceased  speaking,  he  sprinkled  salt  over 
the  child's  face,  and  at  this  juncture  a  tamane  ap 
proached  leading  Cibolo.  With  his  disengaged  arm 
Yermah  drew  the  horse's  head  down  until  its  nose 
touched  the  baby's  soft  cheek,  and  when  Cibolo  had 
tasted  a  morsel  of  the  salt  his  master  laid  his  face 
close  to  the  horse's  jaw,  and  said  softly: 

"  Thou  wilt  be  a  good  and  faithful  friend  to  Gau 
tamozin,  as  thou  hast  been  to  me?  Thine  shalt  be 
a  name  to  conjure  with  —  as  thy  love  and  obedience 


YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 


hath  been  worthy  of  example.  Farewell,  my  com 
rade  !  Thy  days  shall  be  as  the  sunny  hours." 

From  his  breast  Yermah  drew  the  locket  contain 
ing  Kercecia's  ring.  Taking  Alcyesta's  hand,  he 
silently  slipped  it  on  her  finger,  while  unchecked 
tears  coursed  down  her  cheeks. 

Turning  to  Ildiko,  he  handed  her  the  locket. 
Facing  them  all,  he  said  : 

"Be  of  good  cheer!  A  long  era  of  peace  and 
prosperity  is  for  thee  and  thine.  Thou  art  saved 
from  the  floods  for  a  divine  purpose.  Let  this 
knowledge  be  thy  secret  refuge,  lest  thou  be  tempted 
to  depart  from  the  way." 

At  the  water's  edge  he  embraced  and  blessed  each 
one. 

"  Grieve  not  for  me.  In  the  fullness  of  time  I 
shall  come  again." 

The  young  men  went  out  on  flower-laden  rafts 
with  him,  and  cast  gold  and  emeralds  into  the  sea 
in  his  honor. 

The  stone  of  promise  signified  renewal  after  the 
cataclysm,  and  Yermah  was  El  Dorado,  —  "  He  of 
the  golden  heart." 

The  men  on  the  raft  strained  their  vision  to  catch 
a  last  glimpse  of  the  balsa,  as  it  was  known  that  he 
was  going  away  for  purification,  and  they  believed 
implicitly  that  he  would  come  again. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  people  on  shore  began 
the  weary  watch  for  his  return,  which  makes  Cortez's 
conquest  of  later  days  so  pathetic  and  pitiful. 

The  heart  aches  with  the  memory  of  the  treachery 
and  cruelty  of  the  Conquistadors  at  Cholula,  after 
its  inhabitants  had  sent  Cortez  a  helmet  filled  with 
gold  nuggets,  because  they  saw  with  surprise  that  he 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  423 

whom  they  mistook  for  their  Fair  God,  valued  this 
metal. 

The  gold,  itself,  thrown  up  in  the  days  of  the  earth 
agony,  lay  untouched  for  centuries,  but  every  precept 
of  the  "  golden  one  "  *  was  cherished  as  priceless 
gifts  over  all  the  Americas. 

The  tribes  had  different  local  versions  of  him, 
where  they  built  pyramids  and  teocallis  in  his  honor, 
sculptured  his  sayings  in  enduring  granite,  repeated 
his  exploits  in  poetry  and  song,  until  finally  his  name 
and  fame  excited  the  cupidity  of  the  European  ad 
venturers  who  sought  the  Golden  Fleece  in  crusades 
and  voyages  of  discovery. 

The  American  version  of  the  Argonauts'  expedi 
tion  for  the  golden  apples,  under  Columbus,  began 
in  violence  and  ended  in  crime. 

But  the  search  for  the  fabled  El  Dorado  did  not 
end  here. 

Like  a  veritable  will-o'-the-wisp,  it  led  some  into 
the  fever-infested  swamps  of  the  Orinoco,  in  South 
America,2  and  finally  induced  Coronado  to  push 
northward  into  Kansas,  after  he  had  nearly  perished 
in  the  desert  sands  of  the  Colorado.  He  pounced 
down  upon  the  Zuni  pueblo,  and  tried  hard  to  per 
suade  himself  that  he  had  found  the  land  of  Quivira, 
though  he  vainly  tried  to  locate  the  seven  cities  of 
Cibolo. 

The  magic  words  "  El  Dorado  "  attracted  another 

1  All  the  heroes  and  ideal  men  of  primitive  times  were  sun- 
gods.     Buddha  was  the  shining  one.     Zoroaster  (zoe,  light ;  aster, 
star)  ;   was   called   the   glittering  one.     The   Son   of   Man   came 
clothed  in  the  glory  of  the   sun.     When  the  padres   attempted 
to  teach  the  natives  of  America  the  story  of  Jesus,   they  ex 
claimed  :     "  El   Dorado !  "     Such  at  least  is  the  Spanish  trans 
lation  of  what  they  called  their  own  spiritual  leader. 

2  History  of  the  Conquest  of  Mexico. 


424  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

bond  of  gold-seekers,  who  have  made  the  name  and 
the  country  their  very  own. 

In  their  wake  are  the  forerunners  of  the  men  and 
women  who  will  make  California  1  a  great  center  of 
occult  knowledge  —  the  alchemical  gold,  correspond 
ing  to  her  mineral  wealth. 

******* 

"  The  land !  The  land !  O  my  beloved  country ! 
How  art  thou  humbled  by  misfortune !  I  know  not 
thy  desolate  bosom !  "  cried  Yermah,  springing  ashore 
upon  the  island  of  Teneriffe,  the  mountain  peak  of 
Poseidon's  kingdom,  his  lost  Atlantis. 

"  I  kiss  thy  blackened  and  charred  face  1  Thou 
mother  of  the  white  race !  Thou  source  of  all  learn 
ing!  Grant  that  thy  dependencies  may  not  forget 
and  deny  thee  1  " 

Gautama,  too,  had  prostrated  himself,  while  a 
stifled,  smothered  feeling  kept  him  silent.  For  a 
time,  Yermah  forgot  that  the  three  bronzed  men  who 
stood  looking  at  the  shepherds  gathered  about  the 
shore  were  not  Atlantians. 

It  seemed  doubtful  what  kind  of  a  reception  they 
were  to  receive,  until  Yermah  called  to  the  natives  in 
their  own  tongue. 

"  Our  Dorado !  Come  to  us  out  of  the  sea !  " 
they  shouted  almost  beside  themselves  with  joy. 

"  O  thou  blessed  one  1  Dost  thou  see  the  scourge 
laid  upon  us? 

"  Thy  father,  Poseidon,  and  all  thy  countrymen, 

1  Esoteric  students  everywhere  understand  that  California  is 
one  of  the  occult  eyes  of  the  world,  because  it  still  retains  the 
magnetism  of  prehistoric  times,  never  having  been  visited  by  the 
ice  ages  nor  the  flood,  and  only  in  recent  geologic  reckoning 
being  partially  purified  by  fire.  Its  Sanscrit  name  is  Kali  (time) 
and  puma  (fulfillment). 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  425 

save  us,  poor  Guanches,  are  perished.  Evil  days 
have  fallen  on  Majorata.  Dost  thou  not  see  the 
new  mountain  choking  and  filling  her  wide-open 
mouth?  Tell  us  how  thou  art  come." 

"  Thy  servant  brother,  Hanabusa,  skilled  in  sail- 
craft,  is  my  deliverer." 

"  The  sun  and  stars  lent  countenance  to  our  ven 
ture,"  said  he,  "  save  when  obscured  by  a  passing 
shadow.  Then  the  corposant  ran  in  balls  and  spirals 
from  sheet  to  sheet,  and  we  could  not  fail." 

"  I  am  of  the  Monbas,"  said  Ben  Hu  Barabe, 
"  far  to  the  west,  and  I  am  brother  to  thee  in 
sorrow.  The  destructive  power  of  the  Divine  took 
all  my  people." 

"  And  I  am  of  the  Mazamas,"  said  Cezardis, 
coming  forward.  "  My  country  lies  under  sheets 
of  ice  mountains  high,  and  no  living  thing  is  there." 

"  Misfortune  is  known  in  the  land  of  Mexi,  whence 
I  come,"  said  Gautama.  "  Flood  and  fire  hidden 
in  the  earth  made  us  tremble  for  days  lest  we  all 
should  perish." 

'  The  Azes,  too  — "  Hanabusa  was  not  allowed 
to  finish  his  sentence. 

"Thou  art  of  our  blood!"  exclaimed  the 
Guanches,  in  a  breath. 

"  Never  again  shalt  thou  depart  from  us.  Thou 
wert  with  the  Dorado?  " 

"  From  the  beginning,"  he  answered. 


CHAPTER  THIRTY-ONE 

FINAL   PEACE   IS   MADE   WITH   COSMIC   LAW 

THESE  Guanches  were  splendid  specimens  of 
manhood,  the  remote  forefathers  of  the  war 
riors  who,  five  hundred  years  ago,  held  their 
European  conquerors  at  bay  for  more  than  a  hundred 
years  —  never  more  than  a  handful  of  men  at  any 
time. 

First  the  fierce  and  ruthless  Normans,  then  the 
Portuguese,  and  lastly  the  Spanish,  laid  a  destroying 
hand  on  the  brave  Guanches.  Now,  there  is  but 
little  more  than  their  goats  left  of  the  surviving  At- 
lantians.  These  goats  are  of  a  Vandyke  brown,  with 
long  twisted  horns,  venerable  beards,  and  hair  length 
ening  almost  to  a  lion's  mane. 

Teneriffe  was  the  Island  of  the  Blessed  of  the  Hin 
dus,  the  Elysian  Fields  of  the  Greeks,  and  the  Tla- 
pallapan  of  the  Aztecs. 

The  Greeks  had  their  Hermes;  the  Norsemen, 
Ymer;  the  Egyptians,  Kema;  all  words  correlated  to, 
and  having  the  same  significance  as  Yermah,1  which 
means  the  Divine  Germ  incarnate. 

As  El  Dorado,  his  love  nature  was  typified,  but 
he  transmuted  passion,  and  became  a  god  among 
men.  He  was  Votan  to  the  Quiches;  to  the  Mayas, 
he  was  Kukulcan;  and  to  the  Peruvians  he  was 

1  Yermo  and  Yermina  are  diminutives  and  corruptions  of 
Guillermo,  the  Spanish  for  William,  and  are  in  common  use 
among  the  natives  of  Mexico  and  the  neighboring  states. 

426 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  427 

Manco-capac  —  all  types  of  the  same  character,  and 
emanations  from  the  same  civilizing  source. 

The  next  morning  the  Guanches  made  a  part  of 
the  company  which  gave  escort  to  Yermah,  as  he 
essayed  climbing  the  still  smoking  peak.  After  they 
had  passed  the  line  of  vegetation  there  was  naught 
to  be  seen  save  a  sea  of  red  rocks,  and  thirsty  yellow 
pumice. 

The  scorching  sun  and  blue,  unvaried  sky  con 
demned  everything  far  and  near  to  barrenness  and 
desolation  forever. 

Climbing  higher,  there  was  no  solid  rock,  no  soft 
earth  —  nothing  but  black  stones,  piled  one  upon 
the  other  so  loosely  that  under  the  crenellated  edge 
of  the  sky-line  were  frequent  glimpses  of  daylight. 

It  was  not  necessary  for  the  Guanches  to  explain 
that  a  marvelous  bombardment  of  the  heavens  had 
but  recently  taken  place.  The  wrenching  and  heav 
ing,  when  the  crater  of  eruption  was  active,  had 
cracked  the  cooling  and  hardening  surface  repeat 
edly,  sending  masses  of  cinders  and  stones  rattling 
down  only  to  be  caught  and  piled  one  over  another 
fathoms  deep. 

The  granular  lava  had  crystals  of  white  felspar 
mixed  in  it,  liked  chopped  straw,  which  were  formed 
into  spherical  shells,  veined,  curved  and  frothy.  Un 
der  the  varying  effects  of  pressure,  the  still  pasty 
mass  was  rolling,  falling  and  crystallizing  in  gro 
tesque  cascades. 

In  some  places  the  trade-winds  had  hardened  them 
into  wild,  dreamlike  faces,  while  some  were  pictures 
of  contending  beasts.  Yermah  could  hear  them 
grinding  and  crushing  in  low  snarls  and  growls  as 
they  rolled  heavily  downward. 


428  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

Many  times  these  writhing  and  twisting  forms 
threatened  to  remain  forever  suspended  in  mid 
air. 

The  Dorado  imagined  that  he  recognized  some  of 
the  effigies,  and  was  made  dizzy  and  seasick  by  their 
ceaseless  progression  in  a  community  of  pain. 

How  inexpressibly  varied  were  the  colors,  bathed 
in  the  brilliant  light  of  a  vertical  tropical  sun,  un- 
dimmed  by  impurities  of  the  lower  atmosphere! 

The  tired  and  thirsty  party  halted  at  the  Guajara 
Springs  near  the  spectral  Lunar  Rocks  of  the 
Canadas,  standing  like  white  teeth  newly  cast  from 
a  granite  mouth  opened  wide  enough  to  admit  a 
tongue  of  lava  thousands  of  feet  higher  in  air. 

These  grayish  white  spikes  line  the  "  Road  of  the 
Guanche  Kings  "  where  the  crater  of  elevation  sticks 
out  its  ragged  and  torn  lips,  eternal  witnesses  to  one 
of  nature's  most  stupendous  debauches. 

Yermah  groaned  in  spirit  as  he  looked  across  the 
dreary  waste,  and  he  mourned  unfeignedly  for  his 
lost  people.  It  seemed  to  need  this  grand,  harmo 
nious  outburst  of  unseen  forces  to  give  voice  to  the 
wild  and  passionate  utterances  seeking  vent  in  his 
heart.  Nature  speaks  to  each  soul  alone,  and  no 
mortal  may  interfere  with  the  communion. 

In  taking  a  tender  farewell  of  his  comrades,  Yer 
mah  appointed  the  life  work  of  each  loyal  heart; 
nor  had  he  the  least  doubt  of  their  faithful  obedience. 

"  Go  thou  to  Egypt,  Gautama,  and  tell  them  the 
task  is  finished." 

"  Mayst  thou  be  eternally  at  one  with  the  Divine." 

"  And  thou,  Cezardis,  journey  on  beyond  Egypt, 
until  thou  art  come  to  Lassa.  Find  Kadmon,  and 
tell  him  all  is  well." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  429 

"And  thou,  Yermah,  wilt  thou  come  with  me?" 
asked  Ben  Hu  Barabe. 

"  No.  Thou  must  teach  Gautamozin  in  my  stead. 
He  will  learn  from  the  Brotherhood.  Farewell,  be 
loved!  I  shall  return,  but  not  now." 

"  Thou  art  come  to  thine  own,  Hanabusa,"  he 
continued.  "  Stay  thou  here  with  the  despoiled." 

He  kissed  each  one  on  brow  and  cheeks,  murmur 
ing  affectionate  words  ~of  encouragement  and  fare 
well. 

"  Go  now  to  the  sea  level.  I  am  come  to  the  end 
of  my  journey,  and  would  fain  be  alone." 

It  was  difficult  for  him  to  persuade  the  Guanches 
to  leave  him. 

"Thou  wilt  see  me  again,"  he  promised;  "but 
at  another  time." 

The  shepherds  turned  again  and  again,  kissing 
their  hands  to  him  as  long  as  he  was  in  sight. 

Weary  and  exhausted,  Yermah  slept  soundly  until 
the  first  streak  of  dawn  appeared  in  the  lowest  place 
on  the  horizon,  while  the  long  glade  of  zodiacal 
light  shot  up  amongst  the  stars  of  Orion  and  Taurus. 

Yermah  knew  how  to  interpret  this  heavenly  sign. 
Gradually  a  reddish  hue  appeared,  and  as  soon  as  the 
lonely  watcher  comprehended  its  meaning  the  zodi 
acal  light  faded,  and  golden  yellow  gradually  over 
came  and  drove  out  the  red  tinge,  grown  to  ver 
milion. 

The  cold  region  of  gray  at  its  upper  limit  blushed 
a  rosy  pink  as  the  first  point  of  the  solar  disk  leaped 
from  behind  a  horizon  of  ocean  and  clouds.1 

The  Dorado  performed  ablutions  with  marked 
care,  dressed  himself  in  fresh,  white  linen,  and  before 

1  Chas.  Piazzi  Smyth,  at  Teneriffe. 


430  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

the  sun  was  an  hour  old  was  picking  his  way  to  the 
higher  regions. 

Finally,  a  bright  spot  of  fire  appeared  in  the  mal- 
pais,  then  a  lengthening  red  and  smoking  line,  widen 
ing  and  growing  deeper  as  it  flowed  down  the 
mountain  side. 

Nothing  but  the  extreme  high  altitude  made  the 
heat  bearable.  Occasionally  a  fresh  tongue  of  fire 
shot  up  from  the  fountain  head,  and  the  whole  mass 
of  fluid  lava  and  scoria  felt  the  impulse.  Alternate 
cascades  of  fire  and  dross  thundered  precipitately 
against  the  lower  slopes. 

The  tense  and  elastic  vapors  in  their  struggles  for 
freedom  here  made  one  collective  heave  to  gain  the 
light  of  day,  as  the  Island  of  Atlantis  slowly  settled 
down  on  the  bed  of  the  ocean,  and  the  crater  of  erup 
tion  came  up  like  a  huge  lava  bubble. 

During  this  process  the  cold  atmosphere  did  effect 
ive  work  on  the  outside. 

The  mass  was  hidebound  with  hardening  stone; 
but  the  violence  of  the  heated  gases  made  a  grievous 
rent  in  the  wrinkled  coating,  thus  causing  the  moun 
tain  to  shake  as  with  the  ague. 

Finally,  the  internal  pressure  being  too  great,  the 
massive  shell  was  shattered  into  a  thousand  pieces. 
Not  once,  but  many  times,  has  this  battle  between 
heated  gases  and  cold  air  taken  place  in  the  years 
since  then,  as  the  extinct  craters  amply  testify,  before 
the  pent-up,  unruly  spirits  of  the  mountain  finally 
escaped. 

Prior  to  reaching  his  destination,  Yermah  discov 
ered  a  lava  figure  resembling  Keroecia,  kneeling  with 
her  hands  joined  in  prayer,  and  appearing  to  have  a 
heavy  mantle  thrown  over  her  shoulders. 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  431 

This  effigy  is  still  one  of  the  many  fantastic  shapes 
pointing  the  way  to  the  Ice  Cavern  —  that  wondrous 
sepulcher  of  the  Dorado. 

It  was  not  then  an  ice-cold  spring  banked  with 
snow,  in  the  midst  of  desolation,  but  was  a  vent  where 
three  conical  mouths  of  the  volcano  flared  open  from 
different  quarters,  and  hardened  there  in  a  dome- 
shaped  elevation. 

Lying  to  the  south  is  a  particularly  large  mass  of 
scoria  turned  upside  down,  which  has  been  used  from 
time  immemorial  by  the  Guanches  as  a  place  to  pack 
and  make  up  their  parcels  of  cavern  snow  before  ven 
turing  to  carry  it  under  a  vertical  sun,  thirty  miles  to 
the  capital  below. 

It  was  nightfall  when  Yermah  reached  this  spot, 
where  he  found  the  pentagram  mentioned  in  Akaza's 
will. 

Nature  had  made  it  for  him  of  whitish  felspar  on 
the  western  side  of  the  scoria  table.  Certain  that  he 
had  been  guided  aright,  he  sat  down  to  await  the 
appearance  of  Venus  in  the  eastern  horizon. 

Astronomers  call  it  lateral  refraction  when  a  star 
oscillates  and  makes  images  in  the  heated  atmos 
phere;  but  to  Yermah  it  had  a  different  significance. 
He  first  saw  Venus  seven  degrees  high,  apparently 
motionless.  The  planet  oscillated  up  and  down,  then 
horizontally,  outlining  a  Maltese  cross  —  the  pri 
mordial  sign  of  matter.1 

Finally,  it  rose  perpendicularly,  descended  side 
ways  at  an  angle,  and  returned  to  the  spot  whence 
it  started,  completing  a  triangle  —  the  universal  em 
blem  of  spirit. 

While  Yermah  sat  on  the  rock  lost  in  reverie,  the 
Humboldt  at  Teneriffe. 


432  YERMAH,  THE  DORADO 

sub-conscious  man  made  its  final  peace  with  cosmic 
law.  His  entire  life  passed  before  him  in  successive 
events  when  he  knew  that  here  was  the  end;  but  with 
this  realization  he  leaned  confidently  upon  the 
Divine. 

Under  the  impulse  of  utter  helplessness,  he  arose 
and  kissed  his  hand  reverently  to  the  evening  star  — • 
a  practice  taught  him  in  the  nursery. 

As  a  child  it  was  his  first  act  of  adoration  before 
his  tongue  learned  to  fashion  appropriate  speech  or 
his  mind  to  comprehend  veneration.  In  this  supreme 
moment,  he  turned  back  to  that  time  insistently. 

Finally,  he  knelt  —  and  lifting  up  his  arms  as  if 
to  embrace  a  heavenly  ray,  Yermah  kissed  the  air  as 
if  it  were  the  raiment  of  God.  Turning  his  face  up 
to  the  sky,  he  closed  his  eyes  in  silent  prayer. 

Rising,  he  approached  the  mouth  of  the  crater 
which  faces  north.  He  could  hear  the  angry,  hissing 
roar  of  the  subterranean  fires,  and  the  scorching 
flames  licked  out  at  him  as  he  fed  them  his  belong 
ings  one  by  one. 

But  a  short  time  previous,  Yermah  had  passed  his 
thirty-third  birthday,  and,  as  he  now  stood  ready  for 
self-immolation,  he  was  in  the  prime  and  glory  of 
vigorous  manhood. 

He  had  the  illumined  face  of  a  saint,  and  was  up 
lifted  by  that  spirit  which  sustained  martyrs  in  the 
after  years.  Even  his  fair  young  body  seemed  to 
be  spiritualized. 

"  O  Thou  Ineffable  One !  Thou  Spirit  of  Fire ! 
Take  that  which  is  thine !  Lap  thy  purifying  tongue 
about  me,  and  leave  no  dross !  " 

The  desolation  about  him  was  the  veritable  home 
of  black  despair.  Of  what  use  was  it  to  cry  out  to 


THE  STORY  OF  A  LOST  RACE  433 

the  deadly  calm  of  the  rarefied  air,  amidst  the  crush 
ing,  strangling  and  appalling  stillness? 

Coming  nearer,  Yermah  looked  down  into  the 
white  heat  of  the  pink-throated  cavern. 

"O  Thou  Sacred  Fire!  Thy  kiss  was  welcome 
to  her  sweet  lips.  Feast  Thou  on  mine  I  " 

With  the  fervor  of  an  enthusiast  he  rushed  for 
ward  to  fling  himself  headlong  into  the  yawning 
chasm,  but  a  dazzling  effulgence  obscured  the  way, 
and  a  voice  from  the  land  of  shadows  said: 

"  Yermah,  son  of  light,  no  further  sacrifice  is  re 
quired  of  thee !  " 

It  was  the  gentle,  unseen  hand  of  Akaza  which 
halted  the  action  *  *  *  then  a  Higher  Power 
suffered  Yermah's  lifeless  body  to  be  at  rest. 

"  Keroecia,  beloved,  receive  thy  twin  spirit!"  he 
cried,  in  passing. 

In  the  transcendent  radiance  of  the  Presence  en 
veloping  all,  the  twain  appeared  —  transfigured  and 
glorified. 

Being  thus  reunited,  Keroecia  realized  for  the  first 
time  that  she  was  out  of  the  body. 

******* 

Yermah  was  neither  Krishna,  nor  the  Christ,  but 
the  Ideal  Man  of  all  time,  and  of  all  people. 

He  was  LOVE,  the  eternal  mystery;  that  love 
which  Madame  de  Stael  has  said  confounds  all  notion 
of  time,  effaces  all  memory  of  a  beginning  and  all 
fear  of  an  end. 


FINIS 


JUN     3  1985 


DATE  DUE 


PRINTED  IN  U    S   A 


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